Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
Main God
Lord Shiva
Timings
6:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location
Chidambaram
Type
MAJOR
Enter through any of the four grand gopurams (east is traditional). Each gopuram features 108 Bharatanatyam poses carved in stone, representing the Natyashastra.
Proceed to the Sivaganga temple tank for ritual purification. The tank is surrounded by mandapams and is central to the temple complex.
Visit the golden-roofed Chit Sabha (Hall of Consciousness) where Lord Nataraja performs his cosmic dance. This is the main sanctum housing the Chidambara Rahasyam.
Visit the Govindaraja Perumal shrine within the same complex - a rare instance of Shaiva and Vaishnava deities sharing a temple.
Walk through the Nritta Sabha (Dance Hall) and the thousand-pillar mandapam before circumambulating the entire complex.
Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu 608001
By Bus
TNSTC buses from Chennai (5 hrs), Pondicherry (1.5 hrs), Kumbakonam (1.5 hrs), and Thanjavur (2 hrs)
By Air
Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ) - 150 km; Chennai Airport (MAA) - 230 km
By Rail
Chidambaram Railway Station - 1 km from the temple, well-connected to Chennai, Trichy, and Thanjavur
Local Transport
Auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, and hired taxis available within Chidambaram town
