Chidambaram, an ancient and renowned shrine in India is considered as “Paradise of the South”.

Chidambaram is a cultural pilgrimage centre for Shaivites as well as Vaishnavites, also called as Thillai Vanam. The city boasts of ancient temples of Hinduism. The city has a famous Nataraja Temple where Shiva is in the pose of Ananda Tandava (Dance of Bliss). It is situated on Kollidam River valley about 11 km from the coast region.

A trip to the Southern city of Tamil Nadu in India should include Chidambaram in your travel itinery.

History of Chidambaram

The history of Chidambaram begins around 500 A.D with the visit of Hiranya Chakravarthi of Kashmir. It is believed that the king had visited the city to cure his leprosy in the temple pushkarini, Sivaganga thirtham. The early name of the city was Puliyur which was kept and later it was named as Chidambaram meaning Hall of Wisdom. It is said that great saint Sri Raghavendra Swami was born at Bhuvanagiri, near present-day Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu. Even in Skanda Purana, it has mentioned the Chidambaram land of Nataraja.

Tourism in Chidambaram

Chidambaram has been surrounded with the most ancient set of the 108 Karana stone carvings and the temple house the Akasha Lingam of Shiva worshipped in the "formless form" is considered as one of the greatest Shiva Temple of Tamil Nadu. The temples have been built in a Dravidian art and architectural style. The famous Natyanjali festival is celebrated in the Nataraja temple every year during Maha shivaratri. Bharatanatyam dancers from different parts of the world offer their prayers to Lord Nataraja and perform their art in the temple.

The city is also dedicated to Vaidyanatheeswarar, the healer of all diseases and believed that a bath in the holy waters of the Siddhamirtham tank within the surroundings of temple will cure all diseases.

Chidambaram is also named as Kanaka (Golden) Sabha and has been considered as panchabhoota sthalams representing five basic elements such as wind water, fire, earth and space. It is believed that Chidambaram is a place which has given 'moksha' (liberation) to inestimable devotees to name a few Nandanar, Tirunilakandanayanar, Vyagrapada, Patanjali, etc.

There are many more tourist places nearby to visit, it has been surrounded with few temples includes Melakadambur nearby 32 km southwest near kattumannarkoil is a famous sculptural divinity, 30 km from Omampuliyur and 35 Km from Kanattumullur. It is located 20 km away from the town Kollidam and Sirkazhi, 60 km from Karaikal, South Arcot district situated 15 km north-west of Chidambaram.

A trip to Chidambaram is curtailed without a trip to these places. So make sure that your package tour includes all these places while you are holidaying in India.