Chidambaram: Seek Ye Faith and Wisdom
Chidambaram, India is an old, historically-rice town situated in the state of Tamil Nadu. Many ancient empires and groups have ruled over the land since the early 8th or 9th century. The town is dominated by lavish temples and thick forests – indeed a peaceful pilgrim site. As a matter of fact, its name is of Tamil origin which would translate into English as “wisdom atmosphere,” referring to the many shrines and temples surrounding the area.
Best Time to Visit
A hot weather prevails over at Chidambaram with a few months exception especially during monsoon season when the rain is significant. It gets the hottest and most humid during summer in the middle of the year. The festival called Aani Thirumanjanam is held every June to July. Come between December and February if you wish to avoid the scorching heat and celebrate the annual Chariot Festival (Marghazi Urchavam) with the locals. It is also during these months when you can score great deals of Chidambaram IN hotels as tourism is fairly slow.
What to Do & Area Attractions
The most notable attraction in town is the elegant temple called Sabhanayaka Nataraja Temple, also known as Thillai Nataraja Temple. It is a shrine dedicated to the Hindu god of Dance, Nataraja and has long stood in town even before settlement in the area begun. Other temples you should also visit are Govindaraja Perumal Temple and Sivapuri Uchinathar Temple. There is also a Mangrove Forest nearby where you can take a boat tour around. Two of the modern hotels you can stay in for a night or two while in Chidambaram are Vandayar Hotel and Hotel Saradharam. Both are centrally located near many shops, restaurants, and areas of interest in town. Parking sites are also available on both properties. Other options include the Hotel Radha and the Golden Tower.
