About Chidambaram Temple :
Located about 58 kilometers from the town of Puducherry, Chidambaram is a famous temple town greatly revered by the local folk and pilgrims. The chief deity and attraction of Chidambaram is Nataraja, the dancing form of Lord Shiva. The temple complex is dedicated to the art of dancing, as the details of natya shastra, an ancient text on dancing in India, are engraved on one of the gates. Magnificent sculptures depicting the different poses of Bharatnatyam, a form of classical Indian dance adorn the interiors of this temple. The ancient temple is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist spots that can be visited by embarking on excursions from Puducherry. During Shivaratri, a famous occasion in India marked by offering prayers to lord Shiva, this temple becomes the venue of a renowned dance festival.
General Information about Chidambaram Temple :
Location: Chidambaram, 78 km south of Pondicherry.
State: Puducherry (Union Territory of INDIA)
Capital: Puducherry (city).
Language: Tamil, French, Telugu, Malayalam
Temperature: Max 41˚C, Min 30˚C (summer), Max 26˚C, Min 14˚C (winter)
Best Season: October to March
How to Reach Chidambaram Temple :
By Air:
The nearest airport to Pondicherry is Chennai International airport, which is around 135 km away. Chennai is well connected to all airports in India and many cities abroad. Chennai connects through flights to many major cities in US, Middle East, Europe and Asia. Taxi fare from Chennai to Pondicherry is about Rs 3000.
By Rail:
Villupuram railhead is the nearest railway station to Pondicherry. Villupuram is connected to Trichy, Madurai and Chennai. Taxi services are available from Villupuram to Pondicherry and it costs about Rs 750.
By Road:
Frequent bus services are available from Pondicherry to places like Thanjaur, Trichy, Chidambaram and Coimbatore. Private tourist buses ply from Chennai, Madurai and Bangalore to Pondicherry. Tourist bus charge is about Rs 3 to Rs 4 per km.