Chidambaram



Chidambaram is a city in the southern state of Tamil Nadu in India with a population of about 62,000 (2011). Of the numerous temples the Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram is one of the most significant ones. In terms of its antiquity, richness in terms of worship & festival traditions, in architectural & sculptural splendour, in its association with music & dance, Chidambaram is a center second to none in representing the rich cultural heritage of India. Several rich legends are associated with Chidambaram. The best known, are those describing the Cosmic Dance of Shiva, the dance duel between Shiva and Kaali and the more recent one describing the re-discovery of the Tevaram hymns.

By plane
The airports at Tiruchirapalli (165 km) and Chennai  (215 km) are the nearest airports from Chidambaram. Chennai is connected to all the major cities in India and abroad through regular flights.

By train
Chidambaram is 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 Stirrup (290 km).

By bus
There are frequent bus services available to Tarious places in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Pondicherry states from Chidambaram. Non-stop bus services and express bus services are also available to major cities like Chennai.

By car
There are autos (Indian cabs) which can be flagged and are a relatively cheap means of transport.

See

 * Kollidam River
 * Kollidam River

Do

 * The Natyanjali annual festival of classical Indian dance that takes place at the end of February is the biggest attraction that brings thousands of people from all over the world.
 * Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai (in December - January) and the Aani Thirumanjanam (in June - July ) are the key festivals with the main deity being brought outside the sanctum sanctorum in a procession that included a temple car procession followed by a long anointing ceremony. Several hundreds of thousands of people flock the temple to see the anointing ceremony and the ritualistic dance of Shiva when he is taken back to the sanctum sanctorum.

Eat

 * Hotel Palace, Railway feeder road.
 * Hotel Ritz.
 * Hotel Royal Plaza.
 * Kamala Vilas, a non-vegetarian hotel, West car street
 * Moorthy Cafe, in North Main Road, Bole Narayana Pillai Lane
 * R K Residency Hotel
 * Shanmuga Restaurant, a vegetarian restaurant, South Car Street
 * Udippi Krishna Vilas a vegetarian hotel, West Car Street
 * Shanmuga Restaurant, a vegetarian restaurant, South Car Street
 * Udippi Krishna Vilas a vegetarian hotel, West Car Street

Sleep

 * A. A Lodge
 * Abi Lodge, East street
 * Aiswarya Hotel, Venugopal street
 * Ameen Lodge, South street
 * Apollo Lodge, Sabanayagar street
 * Hotel Palace, Railway feeder road.
 * Kalyanam Lodge, Venugopal Street
 * Kurinji Lodge, East Sannathi
 * R. K. Residency Hotel, Narayana Pillai Street (Padi thurai Irakkam)
 * R. K. Tower, V.O.C. Street
 * Ramanathan Mansion, Bazaar Street
 * Ramya Lodge, South Street
 * Shajakhan Complex, Lalkan Street
 * Star Lodge, South Street
 * Ramanathan Mansion, Bazaar Street
 * Ramya Lodge, South Street
 * Shajakhan Complex, Lalkan Street
 * Star Lodge, South Street