There are so many amazing things to do in Chidambaram that people don’t know much about. Chidambaram is a beautiful place located in Tamil Nadu, India. According to me start your exploration journey by visiting the famous Nataraja Temple and get amazed seeing its beautiful architecture. Just don’t miss the chance to see the beautiful yet complicated design of Thillai Kali Amman Temple.
After exploring these beautiful temples you can take a boat ride through the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest which is also the second largest forest in the world. Take your time to explore the beautiful campus of Annamalai university and learn about the interesting history of India at the Chidambaram Museum. If you’re visiting Chidambaram during February to March don’t forget to enjoy the vibrant Natyanjali Dance Festival.
Just nearby from Chidambaram you can experience the healing magic of Vaitheeswaran Koil and can enjoy at the Poompuhar’s beautiful beaches with your family or friends. If you love religious places you can visit the Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple. At last after exploring all these amazing attractions explore the vibrant local markets of the city and purchase some beautiful souvenirs and hand made products.
Chidambaram overview
- State: Tamil nadu
- Best time to visit Chidambaram: The best time to visit Chidambaram is from November to February as during these months the weather is cool and pleasant.
Table of Contents
Here are the most amazing 12 things to do in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
Visit the beautiful Nataraja Temple
Visiting the beautiful Nataraja Temple is the topmost best things to do in Chidambaram. If you hold a keen interest in history and spirituality then visiting this temple is a must for you. The temple is one of the most famous temples that are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The main reason for the temple’s recognition is its amazing Dravidian architecture, its tall beautifully carved towers, and beautiful statues. The main attraction of the temple is its statue of Lord Shiva dancing.
The dancing style is called as Nataraja which symbolizes how the universe is created, maintained and eventually it will be destroyed in the future. The temple is not all about beautiful architecture and spiritual importance but its a beautiful place to see and experience.
Explore the Pichavaram mangrove Forest
Just a short drive from Chidambaram can take you to the second largest mangrove forest in the world named as Pichavaram mangrove forest. It is a peaceful place where you can also enjoy boat rides through its waterways. It is an unforgettable experience to take a boat ride through paths that look like green tunnels made by mangrove trees.
The place feels like a heaven ad it is a must to explore the mangrove forest. The forest is a unique tourist spot and visiting here will create a lot of unforgettable experiences that will stay with you for your entire life. No doubts in stating, visiting the Pichavaram mangrove forest is one of the best things to do in Chidambaram.
Visit and explore the Thilai Kali Amman Temple
Thilai Kali Amman Temple is another one of the best things to do in Chidambaram. The temple is totally dedicated to Goddess Kali. The temple’s beautiful structure and beautiful statues are its primary attraction and tourists from all around the country specially visit here just to experience these two things. The artwork and carvings inside the temple are stunning and after seeing the temple’s beauty you came to know about how talented our ancient artisans are. It is a perfect place to take blessings from Goddess Kali and to fell calmness. Visiting the temple offers a perfect chance to appreciate its beauty.
Get amazed by the architecture of Govindraja Perumal Temple
You will definitely get amazed after seeing the beautiful architecture of Govindaraja Perumal Temple. The temple is totally dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Its stunning carvings and grand beautifully decorated entrance tower known as gopuram are its primary attractions. So much efforts and hard work had been putted to make the temple marvelous which shows the incredible craftmanship of ancient builders. Tourist from all around the country specially visit the temple just to admire its uniqueness and beauty.
Visiting the Govindaraja Perumal Temple allows you to see its beautiful carvings and grand entrance towers from close. The detailed artwork to make the temple stunning is amazing to look at. It is a perfect place to seek blessings from God along with finding inner peace which make the visit special and rememberable. No doubts in stating, visiting the temple is one of the best things to do in Chidambaram.
Visit the Annamalai University
If you don’t know about Annamalai university let me tell you about this amazing place. It is one of the India’s oldest and most respected universities. Its campus are unique it feels like a historic picture book that has huge buildings and beautiful gardens where you can walk and feel peace. Whether you want to know about its academic achievements or simply want to relax in a beautiful place you should definitely consider visiting the university. It is a perfect place to learn and enjoy in the natural beauty. No doubts in stating, visiting the Annamalai university is one of the best things to do in Chidambaram.
Check out the amazing Chidambaram Museum
Checking out the amazing Chidambaram museum is one of the best things to do in Chidambaram. The museum beautifully showcases the interesting history and culture of the region. Inside the museum you can see many old things like statues, pottery and other object which are considered to be hundreds of years old isn’t it interesting? These ancient items tell stories about how people used to live at that time. Visiting the museum is great as you can learn about the traditions and creative work.
The museum help its visitors to know about the interesting history and culture that people of Chidambaram follows. According to me, it is a great place to visit if you want to know more about the ancient things made by people of this region.
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Attend the Annual Natyanjali Dance Festival
The Natyanjai Dance Festival is typically held in February or March. The dance festival in Chidambaram is a celebration of classical Indian dance. The interesting thing is that people from across India visit here to perform ancient Indian classical dance. Its an amazing festival full of energy and here you can see dancers dressed in beautiful costumes to dance in Indian classical style. If you love classical dance then you should definitely be a part of this festival.
The festival honors Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance known as Natraja which make the festival important for Chidambaram’s local people. People from all around the country gather here to enjoy and appreciate the uniqueness of Indian dance. Definitely, attending the dance festival is one of the best things to do in Chidambaram.
Relax and have fun at the Chidambaram Backwaters
Visiting this beautiful waterways will give you a sense of calmness along with amazing scenic views of nature all around you. You’ll see a lot of green plants or you might spot beautiful birds and other animals. If you like walking in a beautiful place then this spot might be a perfect destination for you as these paths along the water are great for a slow and relaxing walk.
Moreover, it is surrounded by a lot of greenery and the air is also fresh and clean which make it a perfect place to feel close to nature. It is a nice break from hustle and bustle of your daily life and give you a perfect to relax and enjoy the natural beauty around you.
Explore the amazing Vaitheeswaran Koil
Vaitheeswaran Koil is located nearby to the Chidambaram. It is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. In this region Lord Shiva is known as Vaidyanathar, the god of healing. The thing that make the temple unique and special is a believe that the temple has healing powers isn’t it interesting? Inside the temple you’ll see many beautiful statues and amazing carvings which indirectly tells the story of old time. Visiting the temple just not only feel you calm and relaxed by also you can experience the unique spiritual side of Chidambaram. No doubts in stating, visiting this amazing temple is one of the best things to do in Chidambaram.
Have fun on the beaches of Poompuhar
A short drive from Chidambaram can take you to the beautiful beaches of Poompuhar that are perfect for a relaxing day by the sea. You can enjoy the soft sand, gentle waves and melodious sound of the sea at these beaches. After enjoying on the beach you can also explore the ancient remains of the old port city located nearby from the beach. Visiting here and exploring the ruins will let you know a lot about past by showing you how people used to live here.
Exploring more and more the ruins will ley you know about the interesting activities that once took place there. Exploring the place is a great mixture of enjoyment and learning which is why it is a must to visit location if you’re planning to visit Chidambaram. Definitely, visiting the beaches of Poompuhar is one of the best things to do in Chidambaram.
Visit the beautiful Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple
A short journey from Chidambaram can take you to the beautiful Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple. The temple is totally dedicated to Lord Shani. This temple is a very important place where people come to seek blessings from God and relief from bad luck. The temple has a very calm and positive environment making it a peaceful place to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
The great thing about the temple is that devotees believe that worshipping here can help in reducing the negative impact of Shani (Saturn) in their lives. It is a great place to feel calm along with experiencing a connection with God. No doubts in stating, exploring the Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple is one of the best things to do in Chidambaram.
Shop for handicrafts and other local products
Exploring the local markets in Chidambaram is the last but amongst the best things to do in Chidambaram. You can easily find many unique and interesting items in these markets. There are awesome hand made items and souvenirs that are made by the talented local artisans. These items include colorful textiles and fabrics that beautifully showcases the local talent and culture of the region. Another amazing thing is that it is a great place to find local spices which add special flavors to your cooking. The interesting hand made items and souvenirs that you’ll purchase from the market will always remind you of your Chidambaram journey.
What is the main attraction in Chidambaram?
The main attraction in Chidambaram is the Nataraja Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is famous for its stunning Dravidian architecture and the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva known as Nataraja.
What can I do at the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest?
At the Pichavaram Mangrove forest you can enjoy a boat ride through the green waterways. It is a great way to relax and enjoy in nature and the interesting thing is that you might even get a chance to spot the local wildlife.
Are there any other important temples in Chidambaram?
Yes along with the Nataraja Temple there are other important temples in Chidambaram like the Thillai Kali Amman Temple and the Govindaraja Perumal Temple both of these temples are known for their beautiful architecture and spiritual importance.
What can I expect at the Natyanjali Dance Festival?
The Natyanjali Dance festival typically held in February or March and celebrated classical Indian dance forms. It is a great festival to experience the colorful and graceful performances by dances from all over India.
Are there any interesting museums in Chidambaram?
Yes there is a interesting museum in Chidambaram that offers knowledge about the interesting history and culture of the region.
Where can I relax by the sea near Chidambaram?
You can visit the beaches of Poompuhar which are just few kilometers away from Chidambaram. These beautiful beaches are perfect to relax by the sea.
Is there a important pilgrimage site near Chidambaram?
Yes the Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple devoted t Lord Shani is a important pilgrimage site located a bit further from Chidambaram. People from all over the country specially visit the temple to seek blessings from God and relief from bad luck.
Know more such interesting place to visit and things to do in Chidambaram from here.