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.

Dedicated to Lord Nataraja, this ancient temple of the Cholas is unique not only it is devoted solely to the art of Bharatanatyam, but also it is one of the rare temples where Shiva is represented by an idol rather than the customary Lingam.

Spread over an area of 40 acres with a gopuram on each side, the temple is distinguished by five sabhas or courts.

Places to See in Chidambaram

The Nataraja Temple:
The temple located in the centre of the town covers an area of 40 acres. It is one of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu.

The presiding deity of the temple is represented by air, one of the five elements of the universe and is known as Akasa Lingam. The eastern tower rises to a height of 40.8 metres.

108 Bharatha Natyam Dance poses can be seen on the Eastern tower as well as on Western tower.

The Northern tower rises to a height of 42.4 metres. The Sivakamiamman temple, the Sivaganga tank, the thousand pillar hall are other important features of the temple.

Annamalai University:
It is a residential University founded by the Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar. It is a great centre of Tamil learning and carnatic music; now offers educational facilities in various disciplines including Medicine,Agriculture, Engineering, etc.

Genji (Gingee):
It is located on the Tindivanam - Thiruvannamalai road about 25 kms. from Tindivanam and is about 132 kms. from Chidambaram. This place is associated with Raja Desingh.

There is a 700 year old fort running over three hills of huge and steep boulders. According to tradition the original fort was laid by Kone Chiefs.

The fort was ruled by Vijayanagar Nayaks, Marathas, Moghuls, Carnatic Nawabs, the French and the British Rajagiri and Krishnagiri are two important fortifications here and it is a popular picnic spot.

Neyveli:
It is about 30 kms. from Chidambaram via Vadalur. It is one of the biggest industrial complexes in the country.

The lignite mined here is used for thermal power generation. Apart from fertilisers ceramic wares and Leco (cooking coal), a number of by-products are also produced from lignite.

Natyanjali Festival:
The Natyanjali dance festival at Chidambaram brings together all the prominent dancers of India present there with an enchantment and elation, which shone in their eyes and evocative abhinaya as they offered their dance to the great divinity, Lord Nataraja.

To many of them it is like a dream come true, to be able to perform in the vicinity of the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Nataraja himself, whose padams and varnams they often dance upon creating an imaginary figure of the Lord. Natyanjali opens on the auspicious occasion of the Maha Shivaratri day and of course in the right kind of venue - the 'Prakara' of the Chidambaram temple.



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