Chidambaram is located in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, about 200 km from Chennai. It is a prominent pilgrimage site, particularly for Shaivites and Vaishnavites, and is home to a number of revered temples. Thillai Nataraja Temple, or the Natarajar Temple, is the epicentre of all activity in Chidambaram. People from near and far visit the temple to seek blessings and catch a glimpse of the glorious Chidambaram Natarajar statue. Nataraja, or the Lord of Dance, is the symbolic representation of the supreme bliss, or “aananda thandavam” in Tamil. Nataraja is among the most significant forms of Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati is worshipped as the Shakti, or “the power of wisdom”, at the temple.

The surviving structure of the Natarajar Kovil temple can be traced back to the early period of the Chola dynasty. Several dynasties, like the Cholas, Pandyas, Cheras, and Pallavas, have made noteworthy contributions to the temple during ancient and pre-mediaeval periods.

Experience the Best of Chidambaram

The itinerary of your Chidambaram trip should include a visit to the following.

Thillai Nataraja Temple: Spread over an expanse of 45 acres, the Natarajar Temple in Chidambaram is one of the holiest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. At this temple, Lord Shiva is depicted in dancing form, performing Ananda Tandava, which means ‘dance of delight’. The presence of the deity of Lord Govindaraja Perumal adds to the uniqueness of this temple. It is among the very rare temples dedicated to both the Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities. The Natarajar Temple in Chidambaram is also renowned for its stunning architecture. It features attractive carvings, gopurams and inscriptions. The four tall gopurams in the temple complex are adorned by 108 carved dance postures of Natya Shastra.

Kali Amman Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Kali, the Kali Amman temple is an important spiritual centre. The temple has two main shrines. One features the goddess in her calm and composed four-faced form as Brahma Chamundeeswari, facing west. The other form showcases the fierce manifestation of the goddess as Thillai Kali, facing east. Many devotees believe that a pilgrimage to the Natarajar Temple would be incomplete without visiting the Kali Amman temple as well. These temples represent the harmony between the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva and the divine energy of Shakti. Kali Amman temple also houses a shrine for Dakshinamurthy, a form of Lord Shiva. Here you would also find shrines for Vinayaka and Saraswathi, worshipped as Veenai Vidhyambikai.

Veera Narayana Perumal Temple: This temple is located in Kattumannarkoil, about 25 km from Chidambaram. The main deity of the temple, Sri Veeranarayana Perumal, faces east in a standing posture. The origin of this temple can be traced back to the 10th-11th century. Veera Narayana Perumal temple is especially considered auspicious by the followers of Vaishnavism.

Brihadeeswarar Temple: Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Brihadeeswarar temple is located at a distance of around 50 km from Chidambaram. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and represents the pinnacle of Chola architecture and engineering. The Brihadeeswarar temple is known to house the largest ‘Shivalinga’ in South India. The tower, or ‘vimana’, of the temple stands at 185 ft and features remarkable sculptures and carvings. The grand statue of Nandi at the temple is almost 15 feet in length. The splendid stone architecture of the Brihadeeswarar temple has made it a popular sightseeing spot. The temple complex exhibits fine craftsmanship of yesteryears.

Best Time to Visit Chidambaram

Located near the coast of the Bay of Bengal, Chidambaram has a moderate climate almost throughout the year. The ideal time to plan your trip to this city would be between October and March. The weather here is quite comfortable and pleasant during these months, and hence ideal for both pilgrimage and sightseeing.

How to Reach Chidambaram

By Flight: Tiruchirapalli International Airport is the nearest major airport, and is well-connected to many major Indian cities. Flights from Singapore, Dubai, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur and Sharjah also land at this airport. You can take a cab or bus from Tiruchirapalli to Chidambaram.

By Train: Daily and weekly trains from several major cities like Chennai, Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Bhubaneswar, Vizag and Mumbai stop at the Chidambaram Railway Station.

By Road: Chidambaram is well-connected via a robust network of roadways. You can find buses to Chidambaram from cities like Chennai, Madurai, Bengaluru, Nagarkoil, Velankanni, Cuddalore, and Tiruchirapalli.

Book the Best Chidambaram Pilgrimage Packages by Veena World

Want to visit the auspicious Natarajar Temple in Chidambaram? Then you must contact Veena World at once. We would craft a pilgrimage tour package tailored to your needs, and make sure that you enjoy a comfortable trip. You can reach out to the Veena World Guest Relations Team which is available 24/7 to answer your queries.

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