The Ancient Temples of Tamil Nadu
Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
This temple is dedicated to Lord Nataraja, the dancing form of Shiva.
It is a unique temple because Shiva is worshipped in the idol form of a cosmic dancer ,instead of the usual lingam.
This temple was built in the 10th century of the Chola period.It has four gopurams.The tallest one is more than 42 m with a gold plated roof.
The temple was further improved upon by the other dynasties like the Pandyas, the Pallavas, and the Vijaynagar Kings.The temple was also used as a garrison by the English and French armies during the various wars.The annual five day festival Natyanjali Festival in February attracts dancers from all over the country.
When you visit Chidambaram temple, do not fail to visit the backwaters of Pichavaram.
You can go on a boat ride which takes an hour cruising till the sea. The mangroves give the backwaters a really beautiful look.Recently, the movie Dasavatharam was shot on the backwaters.
Krishnapuram Temple
This is a little known temple. Many Indians would not have even heard it. This is situated about a half hour drive from Tirunelveli, a town that is about 12 hours from the capital, Chennai. It is said that the late Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi once visited this temple and had planned to spend about ten minutes, squeezed into his busy schedule. But so impressed was he with the sculptures within that he could barely tear himself away after two hours. In all the sculptures of the various Gods and Goddesses, great attention is paid even to the minute details, like toe and finger nails, jewelry, hair.
After the treatment is over, do not fail to visit the famous Navagragha temples of Tamilnadu which are found in a close cluster around Kumbakonam in south Tamil Nadu! Nowhere in India do we find all the navagragha temples in such close proxmity from each other, so that it is very easy to complete the Navagragha Tour in about three days. Contact TTDC for further information!
