Places to Visit in Chidambaram

This temple is one of the most important temples for the Saivite sect of Hindus. This sect worships Lord Shiva as their principle deity. It is one of the five Pancha Bootha Stalams, the five holiest temples dedicated to the Lord Shiva. Each of these five temples represents the five classical elements. The one in Chidambaram represents the akasha or air. The temple that we see today was mainly built in the 12th and 13th century. In the subsequent centuries several additions have been made to the main structure.

In this temple Lord Shiva is depicted in the form of a dancer. This representation of Shiva as a cosmic dancer has become one of the greatest representations of Hinduism. This temple complex has several other buildings which can be explored. If you ask, many of the local priests would be happy to show around. This temple can be visited throughout the day. However, the inner compound remains closed everyday from noon till 4.30pm.

Chidambaram is a very good place to visit when you are vacationing with your family. Often families come together to visit the temples here and to offer their prayers. The mangrove forest in Chidambaram also attracts thousands of visitors annually. The Chidambaram backwaters are quite popular among youngsters as it offers several options for water sports.

Around 86% of the total population is Hindu and Chidambaram has some of the most important Hindu temples in the world. It has been a centre of Hinduism for several centuries. Besides the famous Nataraj Temple, there are several other notable temples here which attract thousands of pilgrims annually. The Vaitheeswaran Temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva. This particular temple is considered to be one among the nava graha temples. It is dedicated to the planet Mars and is considered to have healing powers.

Every year thousands of devotees visit this temple and offer their prayers for the well-being of their loved ones. As Chidambaram has several Hindu temples it attracts thousands of Hindu pilgrims. They comprise the major part of the tourist population visiting this town.

While visiting the temples, do keep the following in mind. It is advisable that women should wear clothes that will cover their arms and legs. Men too should do the same. Before entering the main section of the temple, take off your footwear and walk bare foot. Also, do avoid carrying bags or wallets made of leather. In most cases, photography is banned at temples, so before clicking pictures, do take permission from the temple authorities.

Situated very close to Chidambaram is an erstwhile Danish settlement that exudes old world charm. The Tharangambadi or Trankebar was a Danish settlement for more than 200 years. As a result you will find many Danish influences that have become a part of the local culture.

There is a fort here, known as Fort Dansborg, whose larger portions still exist today. There is a museum inside this fort which displays several antique Danish articles. You will get to browse objects like porcelain ware, glass objects, sculptures, Danish manuscripts, spears, stucco figurines, swords, daggers, steatite lamps, decorated terracotta objects, Chinese tea jars, figurines, lamps and many wooden articles. Amongst the various curios you will get to see a whale skeleton as well.

This is the world’s second largest mangrove forest and it can be reached by roads from Chidambaram. This mangrove forest offers a beautiful view of the mangrove trees rooted deep in the water. These water channels also offer scope for various kinds of water sports.

Amongst the many other temples, there is one temple which is dedicated to the Goddess Kali. The Thillai Kali Amman Temple is situated in the northern end of the town. There are several legends attached to this temple. One of these states that the Goddess Shakti resided here after losing to Lord Shiva in a dance contest.

Chidambaram is located quite near the Bay of Bengal. It has a sub-tropical humid climate. Here, the summers are hot while the winters are comparatively cool. It receives most of its rainfall in the months of October, November and December which results from the North East monsoon.

There are several forest areas which surround Chidambaram. The famous Pichavaram Mangrove Forest can be found here. It is home to several species of flora and fauna. You will find a number of species of birds and fish here.

One of the most important parts of the local culture are the temple festivals which are celebrated throughout the year. In most of these events, the temple deity is brought outside the temple and carried around the town in the special temple car. During this time, thousands of people from all over the state and even nearby come and offer their prayers.

One of the most popular events is the Nityanjali. This event is celebrated in the month of February. During this celebration thousands of Bharatnatyam dancers come and offer dance offerings to the Lord Shiva.

Tamil is the official language of Chidambaram. It is widely spoken and understood by the local people. Those who are visiting this town may want to learn some basic Tamil phrases to help them deal with local shopkeepers and vehicle drivers. 

Some of the famous landmarks in Chidambaram are the Tiruvetkalam Temple, the Tirunallurpperumanam Temple, the Chathapurinathar Temple and the Annamalai University. You can also visit Neyveli and Tarangambadi.