Top Things to Do in Chidambaram, India
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- Manish-blrBengaluru, India181 contributionsamazing experience of boating through the mangrove channels in a slow moving row boat with 2 feet of water in morning and 6 inches in inner channels where boatman using oar for pushing rather than rowing. there are 2 queues labelled motor boat and row boat and opens sharp 9am. we reached earlier and waited. going by reviews, we chose row boat as it took us inside the small channels that have mangroves covering and providing shades, amazing views and touch and feel of the varieties. official boating rate is 400 and boatman asks 600 to take you inside the smaller channels, else will get you back from larger channels in same time. its a money making gimmick and pretty expensive - given the crowd they get away with it. though its worth extra money, but more than the official rates??.
on the republic day long weekend, taking friday off, got us 4days to enjoy a holiday. since it was pretty cold in Bangalore, it wasnt too exciting to go to hill stations and beach was out of question, having spent several days in gokarna and goa a couple of months back. so it was best to get some exposure in TamilNadu and kid reading about chola dynasty gave us the hint to travel to Thanjavur. so for 4 days we added chidambaram to our itinerary and started from Bangalore early morning. looks like there were tons of folks who were doing the same and it was much more crowd till Krishnagiri, where folks forked off towards chennai side. highways are good roads, but boy the toll (and there were 6-7 of them) is more than 1 Re/km - thats total rip-off. my several years earlier view of TN was state roads were butter smooth was shattered, though its much better than KA. road in BLR from whitefield to Attibelle is for most part, worst than village road. with couple of pit stops we were at our hotel by 2pm, a little later than expected. we covered the following in our 4day trip, including travel to and forth:
1. Nataraja Temple
2. Pichavaram
3. Vaitheeswaran Koil enroute Thanjavur
4. Gangaikonda Cholapuram enroute Thanjavur
5. Dhenupureeswarar Temple or Patteeswaram temple at kumbakonam
6. airatesvara temple or Dharasuram Temple at kumbakonam
7. Sarangapani Temple at kumbakonam
8. Adi Kumbeswarar Temple at kumbakonam
9. Thanjavur palace complex
10. Brihadeeswara TempleWritten 29 January 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - AnandG1982New Delhi, India696 contributionsOne of the most beautiful, clean and hygienic place. Well maintained. Darshan was very good. There was no big lines etc.Written 28 January 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rajesh RRiyadh, Saudi Arabia109 contributionsVisited this temple with family. It is a must visit temple before going to Natarajar temple. Place is very divine and powerful.Written 21 July 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Balasubramanian RChennai (Madras), India720 contributionsPitchavaram is one of the important tourist spot in Cuddalore district near Chidambaram Town. It is situated in the eastern side and backwater of Bay of bengal. Children will enjoy the place. Everyone will enjoy the boat riding in the back water and ride between the bushes will be a thrilling one. Entrance small park and other restaurant are there. No proper toilet facility.Written 12 September 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AURELIO LANDRIA ITALY1,108 contributionsi suggest you to see this temple and to take a couple of hours to get a nice visit ,don t miss it When you go to see temples get organized don t forget that you have to take your shoes off so that remember to use comfortable shoes and to take with you a pair of socksWritten 8 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- njan45Kochi (Cochin), India606 contributionsAnnamalai University is one of the best Universities in India. It is in the temple town of Chidambaram. Campus is well laid out. Some of the buildings are a bit worn out. The roads are wide and well kept.Written 13 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Karthik RChennai (Madras), India7,698 contributionsThis temple is located inside the Annamalai university campus - around 3 kms from the main Natraja temple. This temple was built by Pallava kings. The presiding deity is Shiva and called Paasupatheswarar. The temple opened at 5:30 in the evening. This is the place where Lord Shiva granted Passupatham weapon to Arjuna. The temple is very divine and nice to visit. Do not miss this temple if you are visiting Chidambaram.Written 14 August 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Karthik RChennai (Madras), India7,698 contributionsThis Shiva Temple is located at Sivapuri - 4 kms away from Chidambaram main temple; after Annamalai University. Tirunelvaayil temple was construced by Cholas.This temple houses two shrines, one to Uchinathar of Nelvayil with a sculptured panel of Shiva and Parvati behind, and a shrine to Paalvannanathar of Tirukkazhippalai. These temples are 200-300m seperated. It is believed that Sambandar visited Chidambaram from Sirkaazhi and resided at Tiruvetkalam. Other dieties in the temple are Ganesha, Murugan, Bhairavar, Ambal, Nataraja and Sivakami.
The Paalvannanathar temple hosts a linga with U shaped pit on the main linga. It is said that the Aswamadh horse stamped on the linga, made of butter and such a shape. Only Milk abhiskem is performed for this linga.
No public transport available. Take your own vehicle or hire an auto/car. Auto are costly and no other options.Written 14 August 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BalaflexicareChennai (Madras), India4 contributionsOld architecture that tells us about the chola dynast and their efforts in building temples.
Stone walls really impress you with the sculptures on them.Written 29 December 2013This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Kunal nandy1 contributionWe had gone to Chidambaram mangrove forest visit for kayak and night stay..the experience was one of the most memorable..hospitality given by veera bhai and haribabu and Scooby was beyond words.it’s highly recommended to visit this place.Written 18 October 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chidambaram
- The top attractions to visit in Chidambaram are:
- Pichavaram Mangrove Forest
- Thillai Nataraja Temple
- Thillai Kali Amman Temple
- Pitchavaram Backwater
- Annamalai University
- The most popular things to do in Chidambaram with children according to Tripadvisor travellers are:See all kid friendly things to do in Chidambaram on Tripadvisor
Chidambaram Attractions Information
| Attractions | 11 |
|---|---|
| Attraction Reviews | 675 |
| Attraction Photos | 1,140 |
| Local Time | Friday 9:49 PM |