Places to visit in the city Chidambaram
NATARAJA TEMPLE - Chidambaram
 The Nataraja temple is unique in itself as it is dedicated
solely to the art of Bharatanatyam. It is also one of the
rare temples, where Shiva is represented in the idol form
rather than the usual lingam (phallus) form.
Built during the later part of the Chola reign, the temple
is spread over 40 acres. It has a large outer enclosure
or Prakara adorned with four magnificent seven-tiered gopurams
(towers surmounting the entrance gates), with finely sculptured
icons depicting Hindu myths.
The shrine of Nataraja is situated at the Chit Sabha. A
black curtain hiding the statue of the lord is lifted thrice
a day for worshipping. Adjacent to the main shrine is the
shrine of Govindaraja or Lord Vishnu. Two other shrines
devoted to Subramanya and Ganesha are also there.
A remarkable structure in the temple complex is the Nritta
Sabha, constructed in the form of a chariot. The sabha has
fifty-six pillars portraying dancing poses. The largest
structure within the temple, the Raja Sabha is another attraction
here. This thousand-pillared hall measures 103 metres in
length and 58 metres in breadth.
The structural pattern of the Nataraja temple has dance
as its recurrent theme. The east and the west gopurams house
fine examples of 108 karnas (ordered movements of dance)
listed in the Natya Shastra.
On the ceiling, one finds the Nayak paintings of the 16th
century in four massive panels, each 26 metres long. These
paintings illustrate the origin of the temple and the exemplary
lives of great saints.
ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY - Chidambaram
 Set over an area of three hundred acres, the Annamalai
University is an important landmark in Chidambaram. The
university was founded in 1929 by Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar.
This residential university offers educational facilities
in various disciplines like humanities, medicine, agriculture,
and engineering besides having a centre for adult education,
mass literary programs and vocational training.
NEYVELI - Chidambaram
 About 30 km from Chidambaram lies Neyveli, one of the largest
industrial complexes in India. The place is noted for the
mining of lignite, which is used for thermal power generation
and developing fertilizers and ceramic wares. |
