The island of Rameswaram on the Gulf of Mannar is one of the
main fishing villages in Tamil Nadu. More importantly, it is a major pilgrimage
centre for pious Hindus who worship Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu known
respectively as Shaivites and Vaishnavites.
Navaligam Temple, ChidambaramMost visitors come to see the
impressive Rameswaram Temple, famous the world over for its lengthy and ornate
corridors, representing fine architectural masterpieces. Rameswaram also boasts
of fabulous beaches edging its coral reef waters abundant with exotic marine
life, making it a haven for adventure seekers.
The temple town of Chidambaram, 58 km south of Pondicherry
greets the visitors, with a beautiful temple, dedicated to Lord Nataraja - Lord
Shiva in the enthralling form of a Cosmic Dancer. This is one of the few
temples, where Shiva and Vishnu are enshrined under one roof. Chidambaram is
also called Thillai, since the place was originally a forest of Thillai shrubs.
It is one of the five Shaivite mukti sthalams, the other four being Kalahasti,
Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai and Tiruvanaikaval. A unique feature of Chidambaram
is that a person of any race or religion can visit the shrine and pray.
History
Chidambaram (also Thillai) literally means the sky permeated
by an atmosphere of intelligence and wisdom. According to legend, it was once a
forest of tillai, a mangrove species of trees. There was once a small shrine on
the banks of a tank. The saints Vyagrapada and Patanjali are said to have
worshipped at this shrine, now called Thirumoolanathar. It is believed that
their penance attained fruition with the revelation of Shiva's cosmic dance by
Lord Nataraja on the auspicious Thai Poosam day.
The golden hall of dance was built and covered with gold
plates by Jatavarman Sundra Pandya (ad 1251-1272). He was very proud of his
achievement, and as such assumed the title of Hemchandandana Raja (literally
the king who covered the temple with gold).
Pilgrimage Attractions
* The Nataraja
Temple
The Nataraja
TempleThe 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 roof of the sanctum
sanctorum is covered with gold plates. 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 gestures can be seen on the Eatern towers as well as 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.
* Kali Temple
The
Thillaikaliamman temple is on the northern end of the town. It was built by
Kopperunjingan, who ruled between 1229 AD and 1278 AD.
*
Viadanatheeswarar Temple
About 25km.
south of Chidambaram, Vaitheeswarankoil is well known for its Viadanatheeswarar
Temple, dedicated to Shiva and Parvati. People come bathe in the tank waters in
the belief that illnesses will be cured.
Festival at Chidambaram
The Natyanjali festival, which brings all the prominent
dancers of India, together on the same platform, opens on the auspicious
occasion of Mahasivaratri, in the month of February. It is performed at the
'Prakara' of the temple, and the dancers, full of intense bliss and devotion,
with their evocative abhinaya, offer their dance to the great divinity, Lord
Nataraja.
Location
The town of Chidambaram is situated in the east-central part of Tamil Nadu state of southeastern India extending 11.24°N and 79.44°E. The town is in the Coleroon River Valley on the Madras-Thanjavur road and rail system.
Climate
The climate of Chidambaram is tropical with mercury touching up to 37°C in the summers and around 20°C in the winters.
Area : 5 sq km Population : 58,740 (1991) Languages : Tamil
and Hindi Best time to visit : Throughout the year Altitude : 5.97 m
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