Chidambaram is a small town located in the east central part of Tamil Nadu and is known for its festivities which are religious in their essence. Chidambaram is also popularly known by the name Thillai in olden days since the places was full of mangrove forests (Thillai vanam).

Here are the few must-visit temples in Chidambaram.

Thillai Nataraja Temple:

The Nataraja temple is one of the most renowned and oldest temples of Tamil Nadu and is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthala where the Lord represents Space. The temple is dedicated to the Nataraja or the dancing posture of Lord Shiva. This temple is located in the heart of the town and has undergone numerous renovations under the reign of Chola and Pallava kings.

The Nataraja Temple is known for its attractive gopurams, carvings, five mandapams, and inscriptions. The temple was built during the 10th century by Chola Kings and this temple is known for huge walls, four tall shikharas in all the four directions and a big Sivagangai tank. The four tall shikharas are decorated with 108 carved dance postures of Natya Shastra. There are five main principle sabhas in this temple, which are known as Chit Sabha, Kanaka Sabha, Deva Sabha, Nritya Sabha and Raja Sabha. The main idol of Lord Shiva or Nataraja resides in the Chit Sabha.

Temple Timings: (Opening and Closing Time)

Morning hours: 6:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

Evening hours: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Temple Pooja Details:

Temple Archanais:

Ashtoththara sathanaama Archanai

Sahasranaaama Archanai

Sammelana sahasranaama Archanai

Panchakshara Thrisathi Archanai

Pancha mukha sahasranaama Archanai

Ekasamaya Lakshaarchanai

Temple Abishekams:

Chandhramouleeswara spatikalinga abishekam

Rathnasahapathy abishekam

SwarnaAakarshanaBhairava abishekam

Mahanyaasa poorvaka Rudhraabishekam

Mahaarudhrajapa yagna sahitha mahaarudhram

Athirudhrajapa yagna sahitha athirudhram

Temple Contact Details:

G Sundara Deekshithar : +91 9443635280

                                              +91 9349944261

Thillai Kali Temple:

In this temple, Mother Thillai Kali appears with four faces. She is facing west in a standing posture. As a rare idol, Lord Dakshinamurthi appears in female form praised as Sri Kadambavana Dakshina Rupini grace the devotees from their shrines in the Prakara. Goddess Maha Saraswathi blesses the devotees as Veena Vidyambica.  Thillai Kali is also known as Ellai Kali. Ellai means border, ie., Kali at the border of Thillai. Those visiting Chidambaram temple, complete the pilgrimage with the worship of Thillaikali.

Lord Shiva and mother Shakthi had a dancing competition among themselves. Lord Shiva played his furious Ugra Thandava and raised his legs upward at a stage and asked Shakthi if she could play this. Shakthi could not do this, due to the inborn feminine traits. She became furious as she was defeated. Lord Brahma appeared there, praised Kali as Veda Nayaki and begged her to calm down with four faces representing the four Vedas. Kali responded to Brahma’s prayer and appeared before to him as Brahma Chamundeeswari.  

Temple Timings: (Opening and Closing Time)

Morning 06:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.

Evening 04:30 PM to 08:30 PM

Temple Pooja Details:

Pooja – four times a day (Naangu Kala Poojai).

On the days like Sunday, Raagu Kaalam, Full Moon (Pournami) and New Moon (Amaavasai) Special Poojas will be held for the Goddess Thillai Kali.

Temple Contact Details:

Ph: No : +91 – 4144 – 230251

Pasupatheswarar Temple:

Tiruvetkalam Pasupatheswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple located at Chidambaram in Cuddalore district of TamilNadu The presiding deity is Lord Shiva. He is called as Pasupatheswarar. His consort is known as Satgunambal and Nalla Nayaki. The temple is located inside the Annamalai University complex. One has to enter the University Campus through the front entrance and the temple is located near the music college on the back side of the campus.

As per Hindu legend, Arjuna, the Pandava prince from the epic Mahabharatha was asked to perform penance to obtain the divine grace of Lord Shiva. He performed severe penance at this place. One day, he spotted a wild boar speeding to attack him. While he shot the pig with an arrow, another hunter also claimed that he was the first to shoot the pig. A fight of superiority started between the two. Arjuna attacked the hunter with an arrow, the impact of which was felt by all beings in the world. The hunter then tossed Arjuna with his toe, who fell in Krupa Samudram. It took Arjuna time to realise that it was Shiva in the form of the hunter who attacked him. Goddess Parvathi, the consort of Shiva was angry at Arjuna for hitting her husband, but Shiva pacified her. They both granted boons to Arjuna, a weapon named Pasupatham. Since Shiva granted Paasupatham at this place, he came to be known as Paasupatheeswarar.

Temple timings (Opening and Closing):

Morning:  06:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

Evening:   05:30 PM to 08:30 PM

Temple Pooja Details:

Pooja – four times a day (Naangu Kala Poojai).

The kameeyam pooja or agmam is performed here. The devotees perform abishekam to Lord and Mother and offer vastras.

Temple Contact Details:

Ph: No : +91- 98420 08291

                +91-98433 88552

How to reach Chidambaram:

By Road:

The main Thillai Nataraja Temple is around 123 Kms from Thanjavur and 224 Kms from Chennai.

By Train:

Chidambaram railway station is connected with other parts of Tamilnadu. Daily trains are running from Chennai to Kumbakonam and Chidambaram falls in between.

By Air:

Nearest Airport is Tiruchirapalli International Airport and is 172 Kms away.