Attractions in Chidambaram To See This Year

Chidambaram in South India is the ideal destination to visit if you want to experience the authentic Dravidian culture. Only around 250 kilometers from Tamil Nadu's capital, this tiny hamlet with a population of 5 is a popular pilgrimage site for followers of Lord Shiva. The town was formerly a Chola stronghold in southern India and is a popular tourist destination for those interested in experiencing local culture. In the past, this area was home to a forest of mangrove trees known as Thillai, thus the name Thillai.

Legend has it that Lord Shiva was so moved by the devotion and commitment of Patanjali and Vyagrapada that on Thaipusam, he performed the Nataraja dance as a sign of his gratitude to the two revered saints. As a result of this narrative, the town and its present history have grown and evolved; Sundra Pandya created the golden hall of dance, which he then covered with gold plates.

It includes inscriptions from the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Pallavas, and the Vijayanagara, and all told, this temple has inscriptions from five different dynasties that ruled for over five centuries. Chidambaram's picturesque beauty surpasses many other sites in South India, and it contributes to the rise of tourism in the region. Apart from its fascinating history. It's a great destination for nature enthusiasts since you may get lost in the trees and marvel at the beauty of Pichavaram's backwaters.

Those who enjoy watching birds will be delighted to learn that Chidambaram's Pichavaram Mangrove Forest is a haven for migrating birds. Additionally, the town is home to the prestigious Annamalai University, which is well-known throughout the region. Explore Chidambaram in all its glory with a comprehensive travel guide that includes information on the most famous tourist destinations, when to go, and what to do.

The Best Time To Visit Chidambaram?

It's no surprise that Chidambaram is known for its natural beauty, Hinduism, and annual festivities. The greatest time to visit this tourist attraction is when nature is at its finest and when festivities are being celebrated.

Summer

The town's summers are oppressively hot and muggy. Chidambaram's summers are hot and humid, with highs of 41°C and lows of 30°C. As a result, visitors to the city avoid visiting there in the summer. However, one of Chidambaram's biggest festivals, Adi Thirumanjanam, takes place in June, and visitors come at this period to observe and celebrate this event.

Monsoon

Chidambaram takes on a whole new look during the rainy season. It begins in June and lasts through September. The town's natural beauty is enhanced by the frequent showers that fall from the sky. During the monsoons, there aren't any big festivities to look forward to.

Winter

The winter season begins in December and continues through February. The temperature may rise to as high as 30°C and fall to as low as 21°C. Visit Chidambaram now while it's still cool. The Natyanjali Dance Festival, which attracts dancers from all over the world, takes place in February or March and lasts for five days. Other festivities, like Markazhi Thiruvadhirai, take place in December and January.

Chidambaram's Most Visited Tourist Attractions and Places to Go

Chidambaram is a place where you may experience both the outdoors and spirituality. This hamlet is surrounded by Mangrove forests and offers tourists canals, exotic birds, seafood, and temples with beautiful architecture. This town's unique blend of religion and environment attracts tourists from all across India and the rest of the world.

Pichavaram Mangrove Forest

In Pichavaram, the 1,100-hectare mangrove forest is unquestionably one of the most popular tourist destinations in South India, where it enters the Bay of Bengal and is secluded by a long sand dune. There are 50 islands of various sizes in the forest, as well as 4,400 rivers of all forms and sizes. There have been over 200 different kinds of birds discovered, along with fish, prawns, crabs, clams, turtles, and otters. The mangrove forest is home to around 20 different species of trees. Trees can only grow in water that is 3-10 feet deep; thus, better sites are needed for tree growth.

Thillai Nataraja Temple

The city's central temple complex has an area of more than 50 acres. Only a handful of temples in the world depict Lord Shiva as the Lord of Bharatanatyam dance, and this one has a human murthi speaking to him. Lord Nataraja's Cosmic Dance is a representation of the way the cosmos moves under the direction of Lord Shiva.

Thillai Kali Amman Temple

It's a popular tourist site to visit the Thillai Kali Amman Temple, which is located at the northern end of the Thillai Nataraja Temple. Some old Hindu Shoza period stone inscriptions may be seen in the temple. The temple priests do puja four times a day, plus a special pooja on Fridays and Sundays. Several gods and goddesses are represented at the temple, including Durga, Lord Murugan, and Lord Kanaka Vaishnavi.

Pichavaram Backwaters

Visit the Pichavaram Backwaters if you want to see nature in its purest form. There are several rare and native birds that can be seen while boating through woodlands. Nearly 200 distinct species of birds have been identified in the mangrove forests so far, based on the proximity of channels, crevasses, brooks, mudflats, and other natural settings.

Because Chidambaram is a popular tourist destination in southern India, the industry has grown substantially and continues to do so. Since Chidambaram is devoid of nearby tourist attractions, it's best to remain in the city itself. Numerous hotels, both low-cost and high-end, are located around the city and resort areas and provide stunning views of the surrounding natural landscape from their rooms. Chidambaram has a good selection of places to stay.