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NaduChidambaram
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Chidambaram |
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Chidambaram is also known as Thillai, since the place was originally a
forest of Thillai (Excecaria agallecha) shrubs. It is an important pilgrim
centre and a holy place for Saivaites as the famous Nataraja Temple is located
here.
Destination Chidambaram
The
Nataraja Temple
The Nataraja Temple is about 43 km from Cuddalore and 45 km from Neyveli. The
temple is located in the center of Chidambaram town and covers an area of 40
acres. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is covered with gold plates. The
presiding deity of the temple is represented by air, one of the five elements of
the universe and is known as Akasa Lingam. This is the temple of the Cosmic
Dancer, where the presiding deity is called Nataraja. This temple has five
halls, of which two-the Kanaka Sabha and the Chit Sabha-have gold-plated roofs.
The main icon of Nataraja is in the Kanaka Sabha. One of the significant aspects
of the temple is that there is no image of god in the Chit Sabha, which houses
the Akasa lingam. This to signify that God exists in vacant space too. The
Nritta Sabha or the Hall of Dance is the most beautiful and remarkable of the
five halls, built in the form of a chariot on wheels drawn by horses. There are
56 pillars in the hall depicting the 108 poses of Bharat Natyam, the classical
dance of Tamilnadu.
Deva Sabha & Raja Sabha
The Deva Sabha was the Hall of Festivals and the Raja Sabha, which is a
thousand-pillared pavilion, was the Celebration Hall of the Pandyas and Cholas
who gathered here after every victorious campaign to thank the Lord. Adjacent to
the Nataraja shrine is a shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Govindaraja). There
are also shrines dedicated to Subramaniya and Vinayaka. The Sacred tank is
called Sivaganga.
Thillaikaliamman Temple
The Thillaikaliamman Temple is on the northern end of the town. Kopperunjingan,
who ruled between AD 1229 and 1278, built this temple. This temple is dedicated
to Goddess Kali. It is said that Goddess Kali's anger did not subside even after
killing the demon Tarakasura. Hence, Lord Nataraja performed tandava dance to
contain her anger. It is enjoined that all those who visit Chidambaram should
pay a visit to Thillaikaliamman temple.
Other shrines to visit are Shivakama Sundari, Pandya Nayakam of Shanmuga,
Karpaga Vinayaka, Navagraha Linga, Meenakshi Sundaresar, and Kumarakotta Murgan.
Annamalai University
Sprawling over an area of three hundred acres is the Annamalai University, which
is one of the foremost in the country. Founded in 1929, the university has grown
from strength to strength. Both in the field of arts and science, the university
has carved out a niche for itself. In technological fields like engineering and
agriculture, the university has separate faculties. Recently medical and
dentistry faculties have been added to it. The university has a department of
music, which has been rendering yeoman service to Tamil music. As any other
progressive university, it has a center for adult education and extension which
functions viably in mass literacy programs and vocational training. A visit to
the quaint little town of Chidambaram is a rich cultural experience that has
attracted men and women down the ages. Its beautiful temple, the modern
university, and the beautiful handicraft creations can leave one spellbound.
HOW TO GET THERE :
BY AIR
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The nearest airports are Tiruchirapalli (195 km) and Chennai (245 km). From
Tiruchirapalli, Indian Airlines flights can be taken to Chennai (Madras).
Chennai is connected to all the major cities in India and abroad through regular
flights.
BY RAIL -
Chidambaram is situated on the Madras-Tiruchirapalli main line of the Southern
Railway. It is connected with Tiruchirapalli, Madras, Madurai (335 km),
Rameswaram (575 km), Bangalore (340 km), and Tirupati (290 km).
By Road :
It is connected by road with all the important places in south India. I
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