Introduction

Chidambaram is a town in the Cuddalore District. It is the Taluk

Headquarters of the Chidambaram taluk and 235 Km from Chennai and 78
km South of Pondicherry. Pitchavaram wetlands, the second largest
mangrove forests in the world has a large presence of the ancient Tillai
Trees, surrounding the temple town. Tillai ambalam literally meaning the
open stage of Tillai.It is the location of the popular CHIDAMBARAM
NATARAJAR temple also called as Thillai Natarajar Temple.The
Chidambaram Taluk has a Population of 4,69,416 and the Municipal Town’s population is
62,153.

Natarajar Temple : 

This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva called as Natarajar is one of the Five Sabhas [divine stages] where
Lord Siva performed the Cosmic Dance. The traditional name
of the temple is Tillai Nataraja-koothan Kovil. Chidambaram is
a Pancha Bootha Sthalam, representing Akasam [Sky], one of
the  five elements of nature. The other four being
Tiruvanaikoil [water]. Kanchi Ekambareswarar [earth],
Tiruvannamalai [fire] and Kalahasthi [air]. It is believed
that Viduvelvidugu Perumtaccan,  respected clan of
traditional Vishwakarmas, was the chief architect of the
temple’s renovation. This temple has 9 gateways, Four
majestic 7 tiered towers and Sikaram covered with Gold
Plates. The architecture of this temple is unique and dedicated to the art ofBharatha Natyam,  a
classical dance form of the State of Tamil Nadu. Lord Shiva the Nataraja and Lord Govindaraja
Perumal enshrined in one complex facing each other, emphasizing siva-vishnuconcept is a special
feature of this temple. It is also believed that Celestial dance contest of Siva – Parvati took place in the
presence of Lord Vishnu. Lord Nataraja has been installed in the Chit Sabha, the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Akasa Lingam called as the Chidambara Rahasyam [Secret of Chidambaram] behind the Screen is
believed to be there. Goddess Sivakama Sundari is enshrined to the left of Nataraja. The Five silver steps
upto the Sanctum Sanctorum is the respected as the Pantchatchara Mantram Na Ma Si Va
Ya [Namasivaya]. The Spatika Lingam of Chandramauleeswara, Swarnakarshana Bhairavar,
Mukhalingam are also inside Sanctum Sanctorum. Kanaga Sabha, for performing Poojas; Deva Sabha
meant for celebration of important festivals; and Raja Sabha measuring 103 meters by 58 meters ,
a 1000 pillared hall where Sekizharbelieved to have recited Periya Puranam are located in the temple.
It is believed that Lord Siva Performed the Cosmic dance to please [Ananda Natanam] to Sages Patanjali
and Vyakrapada.
This temple has 6 time Pooja Format everyday. Before every Pooja, anointment is performed for
the Spatika Lingam[Crystal Lingam]. ONLY during the Second Pooja around 10 am, along with Spatika
Lingam – A Special Abishekam is performed to the very special The Ruby Natarajar called as Rathna
Sababathy , the One foot replica of Natarajar beautifully made out of highly expensive Gem-
Ruby. The speciality of this Ruby Natarajar is that, when the Harathi [Deepam/light] is shown from the
front it’s view is dark. Whereas, when the Harathi [ Deepam/light] is shown from behind the replica, it
displays a mesmeric and awesome exhibit of the workmanship and devotees, on witnessing this
spectacle, completely get immersed in Bakthi of Natarajar. Ani Thirumanjanam, Arudhra
Darshan [December] – the two annual Brahmotsavams, Natyanjali are the important festivals of this
temple.

Thillai Kali Temple : 

Kali is the furious form of Goddess Parvati. In this form she is believed to destroy the evils of the world
and the evil doers too. This Temple of Kali is believed to have been built by Chola King Kopperumsingan
[1229- 1278]. Here Kali appears with four faces like Brahma. A shrine for Goddess Saraswathy as Veena
Vidyambika and Lord Dakshinamoorthy in feminine form [ only temple in this form] called
as Kadambavana Dakshina Rubini is also located in this temple complex. Legend goes thus: To ascertain
supremacy, Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi performed a cosmic dance contest at Chidambaram in the
presence of Vishnu and Brahma. Siva played the OORDHVA Thandavaand raised his left leg upward, due
to the feminine trait Parvathi could not do such act and accepted the defeat. She became furious and
moved to this location as Kali. Lord Brahmma appeared and praised Kali as Veda Nayaki to calm down.
Accepting his prayer she appeared as Brahma Chamundeswari with four faces. There is a separate shrine
of goddess in this form. She is also called as the Ellai [Village boundary] Kali. Devotees worship here on
Sundays between 4.30 - 6.00 p.m. [Rahukalam] ; poornima or the full moon days and on Amavasya days
seeking relief from worldly problems.

Sirgazhi Temple : 

It is 20 Kms from Chidambaram and an important Saivite temple

located between Chidambaram and Myladuthurai. It is the 14th
temple of the Chola region on the Northern Kaveri banks maintained
by Dharmapura Adhinam. This is a temple revered with 71 Thevara
Pathikams [most numbers] by Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar and a special Bhairava worhip temple with
Shrines of Sattainathar and Ashta[eight] Bhairavars [Asithanga Bahairava, Guru Bhairava, Chanda
Bhairava, Krotha Bhairava, Unmatha Bhairava, Samhara Bhairava, Peeshana Bhairava and Akhala
Bhairava].This is a Majestic and big temple complex with Three Shrines of Lord Siva in this temple
Complex. The Ground level or the lower level of the complex that houses the shrine
of Brahmapureeswarar, named because Lord Brahmma is believed to have worshipped Lord Siva here.
There is an elevated small hillock structure with around 50 to 60 steps. The second
shrine ofPeriyanayagar and Periyanayagi [Uma-Maheswarar] on a Thoni[boat] is located on this hillock,
hence he is also called as Thoniappar. By climbing few steps from this shrine one can
worship Sattainathar/Vatukanathar, incarnated as Bhairavar. Through the windows on this hillock
shrines one can view the entire layout of this Temple, specially the shrine of Ashta Bairavars.

Kali Temple : 
Itis just a walking distance from Natarajar Temple. Popularly called as the Thillai Kali Amman temple
demonstrates the importance of Siva-Sakti concept. Lord Shiva performed the special cosmic dance
the "OORTHAVA THANDAVA" here. The Chola period’s inscriptions are found in this temple. 

Sirkazhi [20 kms] : 

Popular Siva Temple located here finds reference in the Sangam
Literature too. This is also the birth place of Saivaite Saint Thirugnana
Sambanthar. It is believed that Goddess Parvathi fed Thirugnana
Sambanthar with milk here. To mark this event, annual Tirumulaippal
Festival is observed in the month of April. The temple town is well
connected by frequent Public Transport system. 

Annamalai University : 
The Residential Annamalai University was founded by Dr. Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar of Chettinad, in
the year 1929. It is about 3 kms from the town. Apart from Medicine and Engineering Courses the
university has special attention to Tamil Literature and Traditional Carnatic music courses. The University
is under the administration of Tamil Nadu Government at present.

Ayyappan Temple :

 Temple for Ayyappan was built by the Annamalai University, nearer to the Raja Muthaiah Medical
College. It is the replica of the Avyappan temple at Sabarimala.

Vaitheeswaran Koil (24 kms) : 

It is 24 kms from Chidambaram and 6 kms from Sirkazhi. This

town is famous for the massive Sri
Vaithyanatheeswarar Temple complex and also one of the few
popular centers for Naadi Jyothisham [ a form of Astrology-
Palm leaf]. The legend says that the presiding deity treated and
cured the soldiers of Lord Subramnya in the battle against a
demon. The people believe that they are relieved of evil effects by worshipping the lord here. A dip in
the temple tank called Siddhamritham and worshipping the God is believed to cure all diseases too. 
Thiruvakkarai :

 It is about 30 kms from Pondichery town. Large extent of Fossils protected area is made as the first
Fossil-Wood Park. There is a popular temple of Vakkara Kali here. Vakkarasura, a demon was killed by
Goddess with the blessings of Lord Chandrasekarar, hence she is
called Vakkara Kali. Every Full moon day, the temple attracts
thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the neighbouring districts too. 

Nagore : 

It is 4 kms from Nagapattinam. Hazrat Meera Sultan Syed Shahabdul Hameed,  popularly called
as Hazrath Mian, an Islamic saint was made to rest here. The tomb believed to be more than
500 years old and the dome is capped with Gold and it has Five minarets too. The holy tanks
is called as peer kulam. People from all religious faith visit this dargah for fulfillment. 

Vridhachalam : It is 50 kms from Chidambaram.

It is a municipal town and Taluk Head Quarters, located on the banks of Manimutharu river, in
Cuddalore District. Vriddhachalam or Big Mountain was called as Thirumudhukundram in the ancient
times. There is a popular Vridhagiriswarar Temple dedicate to Lord Siva. 

Srimushnam: It is 30 kms from Chidambaram. 

Buvaraha Perumal Temple, one of the popular vaishnavaite Temple of the state.

A Swayam Vyakta Deity [self created] of Saligramam Stone representing Varaha
Avataram, is located here. The temple was built by Naikers of Vijayanagaram. The
front Mandapam is called Purushasukra mandapam. The exotic Mandapam
sculptured like a chariot ridden by Horses and Elephants speaks of its
architectural excellence.

Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple : 

50 Kms from Chidambaram. This temple was built by Rajendra Chola – I [also called as Gangai
kondan] is considered to be the equal of Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar temple or Big Temple. A big
Nandi made of brick and Mortar, a Lion Head well with steps leading down to the water level,
majestic Dwarapalakas [entrance guards] are the other special features of this temple. 
Vadalur : 

It is 37 kms from Chidambaram. Popular Spiritual center on the Cuddalore – Kumbakonam, Cuddalore –
Vridhachalam route. Sathya Gnana Sabha  was established by Saivaite saint called Ramalinga
Swamigal or Vallalar. Thai poosam [Jan-Feb] is the most popular festival of Vadalur Sathyagnana
Sabha.  Only on this day, all the screens that remain closed year long, is open to public to have darshan
of the Eternal Lamp [Jyothi]  believed to have been lit by Vallalar himself. Hymns written by him
on Saiva Siddhantha philosophy are compiled into several volumes in the name of Thiruvarutpa.

Poompuhar [ 40 kms] :

It is called as Poompuhar or Puhar. Puhar in tamil means the  ‘estuary’  of river. Poompuhar is

located close to the spot where the river Cauveri flows out into the sea in Nagapattinam District.
This ancient port city earlier called as Kaveri poompattinam, served as the Capital of early Chola
rulers. Original town was destroyed by sea and submerged presumably in 500 AD, and was rebuilt
after that. Emperors like Sembiyan, Muchugundan, Manuneethi and Karikala of Chola
Dynasty added glory to Poompuhar. Submerged wharves and lengths of pier walls have been
excavated in recent times. 7 tired structure called Silapathigaram Art Gallery focusing
on Sangam literature are the two important landmarks of this town. Silapathigaram and
Manimeklai  the sangam literatures speaks of the greatness of this port city of Poompuhar.

Tarangambadi : 

It was earlier called as Tranquebar. This was Danish settlement of the yester years. The remains of
the Dansborg Fort built by Ore Gedde, a commander of the Royal Dutch Navy in the 17th Century can
be seen here. The antiquities of the colonial period and Danish settlements like porcelain ware, Danish
manuscripts, glass objects, Chinese tea jars, decorated terracotta objects, figurines, lamps, stones,
sculptures, swords, daggers, spears, sudai (stucco) figurines and wooden objects, a whale skeleton and
small cannon balls are exhibited in the Museum here.

Navagraha Temples :

 Astrology, believed by all people, depends on the Planetary Positions and each planet has a God
incarnated for the same. Temples specific to these planetary Gods are found around the Kumbakonam,
Thanjavur Districts and towns around them too. They are : Thirunageswaram or
Champakaranya  – Rahu Sthalam; Suriyanar Koil  - Sun God temple; Thingalur – Chandran or
Moon; Alangudi - Guru or Jupiter.;Thirunallar - Saneeswarar or Saturn; Vaitheeswaran
Koil  – Angaragan or Mars; Tiruvengadu – Budhan or Mercury; Keezha perumpallam  - Lord
Kethu; Kanjanur – Sukran or Venus.  Millions of Pilgrims visit these temple regularly, more specifically
during planetary transition period to pray to the God and get away from all evil effects to ensure peace
and prosperity.
PICHAVARAM MANGROVE FOREST

The mangrove timberland at Pichavaram, which is undoubtedly one of the most popular among

sightseeing places in South India covers 1,100 hectares and joins the Bay of Bengal, where it's isolated by

a long sand bank. Evidently, the woods has 50 islands of different sizes, and 4,400 of all shapes and sizes

waterways. Around 200 types of birds have been found, alongside angle, prawns, crabs, clams, turtles,

and otters. There are around 20 distinct types of trees in the mangrove forest. The trees develop in water

that is 3-10 feet somewhere down in better places.

How to get to Chidambarm

Chidambaram is well connected by Road from Chennai, Puduchery, Nagapattinam and Madurai
both by Public and private Transport system. The train service from Chennai connects
Chidambaram , Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli and Rameswaram. Nearest Airport
Tiruchirapalli is 150 kms from Chidambaram