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4.8 km2
62,153 as recorded in 2011
The official language is Tamil
November-February
04144
Chidambaram is a town in the state of Tamil Nadu in Cuddalore District. This place has been known for its rich culture, rooted in the glorious history and religious myths. There are several legends associated with Chidambaram, such as that of Lord Shiva, who performed a cosmic dance on a demon’s back. Another legend is about the duel dance between Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali. The name of the town comes from the Tamil word Chitrambalam, meaning a small hall or stage. The town has influences of the dynasties that ruled it; Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagar Empire, Marathas and the British.
Chidambaram is most prominent for the Thillai Nataraja Temple and the annual chariot festival. The Thillai Nataraja Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The popular bronze idols of Shiva as Nataraja were first made in Chidambaram town. Most of the regional festivals celebrated here and the tourism of this town are centred around the temple.
Climate & Geography
Located 150km away from Chennai, Chidambaram is situated close to the shores of Bay of Bengal. The terrain is flat and fertile at some places, owing to the alluvial soil. There are forests spread around the town. April to June is the hottest time and December and January are the coolest months. However, there is less variation from summer to winter. Rainfall is scanty during south-west monsoon but heavy during north-east monsoon.
Transportation
This historic town is connected to the rest of India via other major town of Chennai.
Air: The nearest airport is at Pondicherry which is 66km away from Chidambaram. The other two are Tiruchirapalli (165 km) and Chennai (215 km).
Rail: The railway station at Chidambaram has daily express train services to Chennai, Rameswaram, Tirupathi, Cuddalore and Manamadurai and passenger trains for nearby towns.
Roadways: This city is linked with others through a network of state and national highways. Frequent buses are available from most major cities in Tamil Nadu.
Local Transport: Common modes of transport to get around the city are buses and autos rickshaws.
