Chidambaram Excursions in South India | Chidambaram Excursions

Chidambaram

No visit to Chidambaram is complete without an excursion. Pichavaram, which is located around 16 kms to the east of Chidambaram, is as scenic a place can be.  Around 30 kms from Chidambaram lies Neyveli which is one of the biggest industrial complexes of the country. It is also known as a mining town, the main product being lignite.

The Kalvarayan hills, is a string of moderately high hills that is located around 15 kms to the north west of Chidambaram.

These hills which range in height from 315 mts to 1195 mts is ideal for hiking and trekking. A summer festival is held here every May.

Chidambaram does not have its own airport. The nearest airport is the one at Tiruchirapalli which is located at a distance of 195 kms. One could reach Chidambaram from Chennai airport which is 245 kms away.

Chidambaram railway station is located on the mail Chennai Tiruchirapalli line of the Southern Railways. It is well connected with cities like Chennai, Tiruchirapalli, Rameshwaram, Bangalore and Tirupati.

Road transport is particularly good in Chidambaram. There are regular buses to destinations not only within Tamil Nadu, but also to nearby states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Pondicherry.

Tour to Chidambaram is the seat of the cosmic dancer Nataraja (Ananda Tandava pose; the Cosmic Dance of bliss). It is one
of the Pancha (five) Bhutasthalas signifying the five elements of wind (Kalahasti), water (Tiruvanaikka), fire (Tiruvannamalai), earth (Kanchipuram) and space (Chidambaram).

Tours to Chidambaram - There are several tourist attractions in Chidambaram. The Nataraja
temple is located in the centre of the town and covers an area of 40 acres. 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 Thillaikaliamman temple is on the northern end of the town. It was built by Kopperunjingan, who ruled between 1229 A.D. and 1278 A.D.

Pichavaram is just 16 km from Chidambaram and ranks among the most exquisite scenic spots with abundant and varied tourism resources. Chidambaram Tours and the Annamalai University is a residential university founded by Raja Sir
Annamalai Chettiar. It is on the eastern outskirts of the town and is a great centre of Tamil learning and Carnatic music, with facilities in various disciplines including Medicine, Engineering, etc.

Chidambaram Tourist Attractions - The nearest airport to Chidambaram is Tiruchi which is 168 km. away. It is connected by rail with Tiruchi, Madurai and Chennai. It is also well connected by roadways with all major towns and cities.

As far as local transportation is concerned, there are local taxis and auto rickshaws which ply without meters.

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