g to yet another legend commemorating the dance duel between the doyens of dance Shiva and Kali is associated with Chidambaram. Lord Shiva is said to have lifted his left foot towards the sky in the Urdhuva Tandava posture, a definite male gesture, which out of adherence to protocol, Kaali could not reciprocate, thereby causing Shiva to emerge victorious, delegating Kaali to the status of a primary deity in another temple in the outskirts of Chidambaram. This legend is portrayed in the Nritta Sabha, one of the halls within the Chidambaram temple.
There is one more recent legend associated with this temple. The sacred Tamil works of the Nayanmaars had been missing for several years, and it was during the period of Raja Raja Chola (the builder of the Grand temple at Tanjavur) that formal research was initiated to trace these fine works of devotional literature. These works of the Saivite Saints – rich in musical content were recovered in a dilapidated state in one of the chambers in this vast temple, after the monarch brought images of the Saint trinity in procession to the temple.
Time to Visit
Best Season to visit the temple is from October to March. There are Two annual Bhrammotsavams at Chidambaram which are of great significance. They are Anithirumanjanam which is held in June-July, and Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai held in December-January. During these festivals, the sacred shrine of Lord Nataraja is taken in a procession through the car streets, in the grand temple car, followed by a long anointing ceremony. These festivals are attended by large number of people. The Natyanjali Festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is held every year during February-March in the temple premises. It begins on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri and lasts for five days. During this festival, dancers from all over India, participate to pay their tribute to Lord Nataraja.
Accommodation Facilities at the Temple
The temple town of Chidambaram is the home to the Annamalai University, and it has several modern lodging facilities. The Tamilnadu Tourist Development here Corporation operates one of its hotels at Chidambaram. Chidambaram is located on the Chennai Tiruchirappalli Main line, between Villuppuram and Thanjavur. It is well connected with Chennai by a host of train and bus services.
By road it is only 235 kilometers South of Chennai. Thanjavur is only about 100 kilometers away from Chidambaram. Chidambaram is literally the Northern gateway to the temple trough of Tamilnadu – the Thanjavur – Tiruvarur – Nagapattinam districts featuring hundreds and hundreds of ancient temples, which can be easily accessed from the towns of Mayiladuturai, Kumbhakonam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam.
How to Reach the Temple
i. By Roadways the Chidambaram is well connected by roads. Non-stop luxury buses operate from Chidambaram to Chennai Chidambaram is 245 km from Chennai and is well connected with several towns in the state. From here, there are bus services to Chennai, Pondicherry, Nagapattinam and Madurai.
ii. Through Railways Chidambaram is located on the Madras-Thiruchirapalli main line of the Southern Railway, which is connected withThiruchirapalli, Chennai, Bangalore, Madurai, Rameswharam and Tirupati. It is also connected with meter gauge rail link, main link going to Rameswaram via Kumbakonam, Thanjavur and Trichirappali.
iii. Through Airways The nearest Airport is Thiruchirapalli, 195 kms away and from where Indian Airlines connections are available to Chennai, Madurai and Sri Lanka. Umpteen buses ply daily to Chidambaram and via Chidambaram to various places.