Chidambaram Sightseeing : Places to visit in destination Chidambaram

Places to visit in the city Chidambaram

NATARAJA TEMPLE - Chidambaram

The Nataraja temple is unique in itself as it is dedicated solely to the art of Bharatanatyam. It is also one of the rare temples, where Shiva is represented in the idol form rather than the usual lingam (phallus) form.

Built during the later part of the Chola reign, the temple is spread over 40 acres. It has a large outer enclosure or Prakara adorned with four magnificent seven-tiered gopurams (towers surmounting the entrance gates), with finely sculptured icons depicting Hindu myths.

The shrine of Nataraja is situated at the Chit Sabha. A black curtain hiding the statue of the lord is lifted thrice a day for worshipping. Adjacent to the main shrine is the shrine of Govindaraja or Lord Vishnu. Two other shrines devoted to Subramanya and Ganesha are also there.

A remarkable structure in the temple complex is the Nritta Sabha, constructed in the form of a chariot. The sabha has fifty-six pillars portraying dancing poses. The largest structure within the temple, the Raja Sabha is another attraction here. This thousand-pillared hall measures 103 metres in length and 58 metres in breadth.

The structural pattern of the Nataraja temple has dance as its recurrent theme. The east and the west gopurams house fine examples of 108 karnas (ordered movements of dance) listed in the Natya Shastra.

On the ceiling, one finds the Nayak paintings of the 16th century in four massive panels, each 26 metres long. These paintings illustrate the origin of the temple and the exemplary lives of great saints.

ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY - Chidambaram

Set over an area of three hundred acres, the Annamalai University is an important landmark in Chidambaram. The university was founded in 1929 by Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar. This residential university offers educational facilities in various disciplines like humanities, medicine, agriculture, and engineering besides having a centre for adult education, mass literary programs and vocational training.

NEYVELI - Chidambaram

About 30 km from Chidambaram lies Neyveli, one of the largest industrial complexes in India. The place is noted for the mining of lignite, which is used for thermal power generation and developing fertilizers and ceramic wares.