Chidambaram

This is the first of the series of blogs which I intend creating.  I am a vivid traveler. I am normally interested in visiting various towns across Tamil Nadu by rail or bus, stay there for a day or two and visit places of interest around this town.  I have chosen to start with Chidambaram.

Chidambaram Natarajar   .

  This town is situated 240 Kms south of chennai and is well connected by road and rail. There are good hotels to stay and have food.

   The holy town of Chidambaram is the abode of Lord Nataraja, the dancing God (Shiva). On 1st of May 2015, this temple was consecrated supposedly after 28 years.  The world is made of Panja bootha (Land: represented by Lord Shiva at Kancheepuram; Water: Lord Shiva at Tiruvanaikkoil, Trichy; Fire, represented by Lord Shiva at Tiruvannamalai; Air represented by Lord Shiva at Sri Kalahasthi and space (Akayam in Tamil) represented by Lord Nataraja at Chidambaram. The main temple is made of 21600 gold leaves representing the number of times we breathe in a day.

Thillai Kali

Long long ago the town was ruled by Kali Maatha. Lord Nataraja won the battle of dance against Kali Matha. Kali Matha was then ordained to live just outside this town and is known as Thillaikali. The town is also known as Thillai. The visit to Chidamabaram is incomplete without a  dharshan of Thillaikali. This temple is situated within 800-1000 meters of the North Sannathi (temple view on right side)

 Pichavaram:

Pichavaram mangrove forest is situated about 10 kilometers towards east near Bay of Bengal. The mangroves have lost their density now but are still worth a boat drive across back waters. This is considered as a tourist spot. Boats are available to go around in back waters.

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Other Places of interest

 There are many places of interest around this town. Sri Raghavendra was born at Bhuvanagiri, which is about 6 kilometers from the town on way to Cuddalore (towards Chennai). There is a temple dedicated to Holy Raghavendra at Bhuvanagiri..

   The town of Sirkali is 20 kms away where Thirugnanasambandar (one of the nalvar who adore all Shiva temples). There is Sattanathar temple at Sirkali and there is also a Shiva temple at Tirukkolakka, where Thirugnanasambandar sang about Shiva.   Lot can be written about Nataraja temple. Chidambaram is also the place where the famous Annamalai University is situated.

These are some of the 274 revered Shiva temples. Vaitheeswarankoil is about 26 kms away from Chidambaram and 6 kilometers to the south of Sirkali. This temple is one of the most revered temples and Lord Vaidyanatha Swami is the presiding deity.

There are famous Vaishnava Shrines at Kattumannarkoil (25 Kilometers to the west and Sri Mushnam (app 60 kms to the west) which are worth worshiping.