Chidambaram is a very important place in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. This is a very famous East facing Temple with a seven tiers Rajagopuram and built in Chidambaram Town. Some refer this Temple as Sri Sabha Nayagar Temple. The Presiding Deity is Sri Natarajar who is considered as an incarnation of God Shiva. He is found as a Swayambhumurthy here. This Temple was built around the 10th century when Chidambaram was the Capital of the Chola Dynasty. It is one of the biggest Temples in India spread over 35 acres of land.

Sri Nataraja and his Dance of Bliss is an ancient Hindu art concept. This Temple is built close to the banks of River Kollidam. King Raja Raja Cholan sought the help of Nambiyandar Nambi in finding out several old scripts pertaining to the Temple. This Temple has stood the test of time in bearing the brunt of several Muslim invasions and plundering. This is one rare Temple which was repeatedly attack by the then Muslim invaders like Allaudeen Khilji and Malik Kafur. Just beneath the Rajagopuram are two Sub Shrines for Sri Vinayagar and Sri Murugan. There are Several Sub Shrines in this Temple for the following: Sri Urthuva Thandavar, Sri Somaskandar, Sri Kalasamharamoorthy, Sri Sarabeshwarar, Sri Vinayagar, Sri Thayumananvar, Sri Subramaniyar, Panniru Thirumuraigal, Sri Meikandar, Sri Arulnandhi Sivam, Sri Maignana Sammandhar, Sri Umapathy Sivam, Naalvar, Sri Dhaksinamoorthy, Sri Pallikeshwarar, Sri Vallaba Ganapathy, Sri Jagan Mohana Ganapathy, Sri Aadhi Moolanathar, Sri Arunachaleswarar, 63 Nayanmaars, Sri Arthajama Azhagar, Sri Sangu Oodhi Vinayagar.  

There are several multi pillared Mandapams with etched and carved pillars. Though a Shiva Temple, there is a Shrine for Sri Govindharaja Perumal too. This is one of the rarest of rare Temples where Sivan in the form of Sri Natarajar and Sri Maha Vishnu in the form of Sri Govindaraja Perumal are found in the same Temple. The Consort of Sri Govindaraja Perumal is known as Sri Pundarikavalli Thaayar. This is considered as the 40th Divya Desam by the Vaishnavites. Facing the Moolasthanam of Sri Govindaraja Perumal is a Neivedhya Peedam or a Bali Peedam, Dwajasthambam or a Kodi Maram and a Garudalwar Sannadhi. There are Sub Shrines here for Sri Subramaniyar, Sri Ganesha, Sri Nandhi Vahanam, Sri Maha Vishnu, Sri Suryan and Sri Amman. The Temple is made up of 9 major Gopurams and various other Praharams.

Some of the Gopurams are seven tiered and are colourfully painted. The Temple has many Halls which are called as Sabhas or Ambalams. 2 of these Sabhas, viz. Chit Sabha and Kanaga Sabha are located within the Sanctum Sanctorum. This Temple is referred as Por Sabhai and Chidambaram Temple is one of the five places where Sivan is said to have displayed His Shiva Thandavam. There is a huge Pushkarani known as Siva Gangai Theertham and its beleived that a dip here would cure all the ailmets of His Devotees. The Temple Purohits here are known as Dhikshidhars. The Sthala Viruksham of the Temple is Thillai Maram. There is a huge Temple Car or Chariot which is used twice during massive crowd drawing festivals. This is one the most important Temples in Tamil Nadu that no Devotees would ever miss. The Temple has a Madapalli and a Annadhana  Koodam. The Ghoshala of this Temple is meticulously maintained . Aippasi Annabishegam, Arudhra Dharisanam, Masi Magam, Pradhosham, Navarathri are some of the festivals are celebrated in a grand manner. Its a Pancha Boodha Sthalam and well known for the Cosmic Dance of Sri Nataraja which is believed to run the Universe.

Contact Details: Swarna Sabapathy 93605 54359, 94436 35280, 04144 22717 and 04144 230251.

Temple Timings: 6 AM to 12 Noon and 5 PM to 9 PM

Distance from Cuddalore to Chidambaram is 43 Kms

Distance from Panruti to Chidambaram is 62 Kms

Distance from Neyveli to Chidambaram is 41 Kms

Distance from Virudhachalam to Chidambaram is 45 Kms

Distance from Tindivanam to Chidambaram is 107 Kms

Distance from Vikravandi to Chidambaram is 97 Kms

Distance from Viluppuram or Villupuram to Chidambaram is 91 Kms

Distance from Tiruchirappalli or Trichy to Chidambaram is 152 Kms

Distance from Thanjavur to Chidambaram is 109 Kms

Distance from Kumbakonam to Chidambaram is 72 Kms

Distance from Thirunageswaram to Chidambaram is 75 Kms

Distance from Thiruvidaimaruthur to Chidambaram is 69 Kms

Distance from Thirubuvanam to Chidambaram is 75 Kms

Distance from Nagapattinam to Chidambaram is 87 Kms

Distance from Vaitheeswaran Koil to Chidambaram is 29 Kms

Distance from Madurai to Chidambaram is 277 Kms

Distance from Salem to Chidambaram is 183 Kms

Distance from Coimbatore to Chidambaram is 346 Kms

Distance from Namakkal to Chidambaram is 206 Kms

Distance from Tiruvannamalai or Thiruvannamalai to Chidambaram is 159 Kms

Distance from Kanchipuram to Chidambaram is 189 Kms

Distance from Vellore to Chidambaram is 226 Kms

Distance from Thiruvallur or Tiruvallur to Chidambaram is 228 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Chidambaram is 234 Kms

Nearest Railway Station Chidambaram R.S.

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