Chidambaram - 'Temple of Akasa Lingam'
The word Chidambaram city is derived from the word ‘Chit Ambaram’ which literally means the sky permeated by an atmosphere of intelligence and wisdom. Lord Nataraja is said to have emerged from the sacred space and performed his Cosmic Dance before his two devotees. This city was a part of the Chola dynasty and is today, an important pilgrim centre and known for its Nataraja Temple or Chidambaram city.
Best Time & Climate
The climate of Chidambaram is tropical with temperature of around 37°C in the summers and around 20°C in the winters. The best time to visit Chidambaram is during winters between September – February with Chidambaram city.
How to get there ?
» By Air- The nearest airports are Tiruchirapalli (195 km) and Chennai (245 km). From Tiruchirapalli, domestic flights can be taken to Chennai which inturn is connected to all the major cities in India and abroad through regular flights.
» By Rail - Chidambaram is situated on the Chennai-Tiruchirapalli main line of the Southern Railway. It is connected with Tiruchirapalli, Chennai, Madurai (335 km), Rameswaram (575 km), Bangalore (340 km), and Tirupati (290 km).
» By Road - Frequent bus services are available to various places in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Pondicherry states from Chidambaram. There are non-stop bus services and express bus services with Chidambaram city Guide.
Must Visit
»The Nataraja Temple or The Chidambaram Temple - Covering an area of 40 acres, the temple is situated at the heart of the city. The temple has a gold plated roof, towering over the presiding deity, Akasa Lingam - the Lingam of Space. The Lord is worshipped in different temples as representing the five elements - earth, water, fire, wind and ether. One of the special features of this temple is the splendid bejewelled Nataraja image. The temple complex reflects an assortment of architectural and sculptural styles amalgamated over several centuries and Chidambaram Tour.
» Kali Temple - This temple is situated on the northern extremity of the town. It was built by Kopperunjingan, who ruled between 1229 AD and 1278 AD.
» Annamalai University - Founded by Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar, this residential University is located on the eastern outskirts of the town. A great centre of Tamil learning and carnatic music, it offers educational facilities in various disciplines including Medicine, Engineering etc.
» Pichavaram - 16 kms east of Chidambaram lies Pichavaram, one of exquisite scenic spots with opulent and varied tourism resources. Pichavaram consists of a large number of islands interspersing a vast expanse of water and covered with green trees.
» Neyveli - Situated at a distance of 50 kms from Chidambaram, Neyveli is one of the biggest industrial complexes in the country.
» Seerkazhi - 20 kms from Chidambaram city, Seerkazhi has three shrines - Sree Brahmapureeswarar, Sattanathar and Thoniappar shrines; the Goddess Tirunilai Nayaki shrine and; the shrine of God Child, Gananasambandar.
