| Chidambaram greets us with a beautiful temple, dedicated to Lord Nataraja- God Siva in the form of a Cosmic Dancer. This is one of the few temples where Siva and Vishnu are enshrined under one roof. The Tamil Nadu between Vada Venkatam (North Thirupati) and Ten-Kumari is the holiest spot on earth - A Paradise on Earth and to merit this eulogy a divine fragrance permeates the Tamil land. Tamil itself is Sivam and it will be quite in order, to say that the Tamil land is a huge Siva shrine. |
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| Chidambaram is an ancient and renowned shrine in India. It is spiritual as well as historic. It noted for cultural significance. Chidambaram is associated with Nataraja or Lord Shiva in his Ananda Tandava fake (the Cosmic Dance of bliss) in the cosmic golden hall. Devotees of both, saivites as well vaishnavites visit Chidambaram as a pilgrimage spot. |
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| Devotees symbolize Lord Shiva’s Ananda Tandava as the five divine acts of creation, sustenance, dissolution, concealment, and gift of grace. Beyond all this vaitheeswaran temple near to Chidambaram. It is also a popular shiva temple dedicated to Vaidyanatheeswarar. Disciples believes that a bathe in the holy water of the siddhamirtham tank in the temple have a immense power to heal the diseases. |
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| The Nataraja Temple |
| The temple located in the centre of the town covers an area of 40 acres. Is is one of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu. The roof of the sanctum sanctrorum 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 gesture can be seen on the Eastern tower as well as on Western tower. The Northern tower rises to height of 42.4 metres.The Sivakamiamman temple, the Sivaganga tank, the thousand pillar hall are other important features of the Temple. |
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| Poompuhar |
| Poompuhar, once the biggest port on the east coast, was at its peak under the earlier Chola Kings. The Kaveri, merging with the bellowing sea, was known as Puhar but to the exquisite beauty of the port town, it came to be called "Poompuhar". Another name of Poombuhar was Kaveripoompattinam. The greatness of the city is brought out in some of the poems in Sangam literature and also by Silappathikaram and Manimekalai among the epics. The life and time of the Tamil classic 'Silappathikaram' has been recreated at Poompuhar to the immense pleasure of the Tamils. |
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| In order to conjure up the decorative ornamental scenic beauty of Poombuhar, the whole Art Gallery is made to present the environment and atmosphere of the 2nd century A.D. by the creation of the llanji Mandram, Paval Mandram, the Buddhist School, Arugan Kottam, Tirumal Kottam and Murugu Kottam, etc. A fine beach and calm water offer good bathing |
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| Pichavaram |
| Pichavaram, ranks among the most exquisite scenic spot with abundant and varied tourism resources. The backwaters which are interconnected by the Vallar and Coleroon system offer abundant scope for water sports-rowing, kayak and canoeing. The Pichavaram forest not only offers waterscape and backwater cruises but combines another very rare occurrence- the mangrove forest trees permanently rooted in a few feet of water. |
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| Gingee |
| This place is associated with Raja Desingh. There is a 700 year old fort running over three hills of huge and steep boulders. According to tradition the original fort was built by Kone Chiefs. The fort was ruled by Vijayanagar, Nayaks, Marathas, Moghuls, Carnatic Nawabs, the French and the British. Rajagiri and Krishnagiri are two important fortifications here and it is a popular picnic spot |
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| Gangaikondacholapuram |
| Rajendra-I, a mighty Chola King, established his new capital here with the magnificent city and temple to Lord Siva. The temple is noted for its massiveness and richly carved sculptures. A big Nandhi in front of the temple made of brick and mortar, a lion headed well with a flight of steps leading to the water level and gigantic Dwarapalakas are the other special features of this temple. |
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| Srimushnam |
| The famous temple for Vishnu as Bhuvaraha is located here. The front Mandapam called the Purushasukta Mandabam was built by the Nayaks in the 17th century and is noted for its architectural treasures. Shaped like a chariot, it is replete with carvings of figures of warriors mounted on horses and elephants. On the pillars in the centre of the hall are carved royal portraits of the Nayak family who were responsible for the building of the temple |
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| Vaitheeswaran Koil |
| The place is famous for the Siva temple dedicated to Vidyanatheeswarar, the healer of all diseases and his consort Thaiyalnayaki. It is believed that a bath in the holy waters of the Siddhamirtham tank within the temple complex will cure all diseases |
