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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www.dinamalar.com/360_view_detail.asp?id=253 360 view for Chidambaram Temple] |
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* [http://holyindia.org/temple/chidambaram/ CHIDAMBARAM ENCYCLOPEDIA சிதம்பரம் பற்றிய களஞ்சியம்] |
* [http://holyindia.org/temple/chidambaram/ CHIDAMBARAM ENCYCLOPEDIA சிதம்பரம் பற்றிய களஞ்சியம்] |
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* [http://www.tillai.com For the chidambaram temple]. |
* [http://www.tillai.com For the chidambaram temple]. |
Revision as of 09:52, 27 July 2010
Chidambaram
Chidambaram | |
---|---|
city | |
Population (2001) | |
• Total | 58,968 |
Chidambaram is a municipal town in Tamil Nadu and the taluk (tehsil) headquarters of the Cuddalore district. It is located in the Kollidam River valley about 11 km from the coast, 20 km from the towns Kollidam and Sirkazhi, 60 km from Karaikal, and 240 km south of Chennai by rail .[1] It has an average elevation of 3 metres (9 ft).
Chidambaram is a major pilgrimage site for Shaivites as well as Vaishnavites, where one of the holiest and most ancient temples of Hinduism is located.
Demographics
As of 2001 India census,[2] Chidambaram had a population of 58,968. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Chidambaram has an average literacy rate of 80%, significantly higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 84% and female literacy of 76%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Chidambaram Temple
The ancient Chidambaram Temple (Tamil: சிதம்பரம் கோயில் ) is dedicated to Lord Shiva in His form of the Cosmic Dancer (Nataraja நடராசர்) . It is one of the five Dancing Halls (Sabha) of Nataraja and the most famous one. Chidambaram is the Kanaka (Golden)Sabha. It is also one of the panchabhoota sthalams - representing five basic elements. This is the Akasa Sthalam representing 'Space' among the Pancha Bootha Sthalams. For Saivites all over the world this is the most important Siva Temple. The stand alone word "Kovil" would automatically mean Chidambaram Temple to Saivites. The others are - Tiruvannamalai (Thejo sthalam - Fire) Kanchipuram (Prithvi sthalam - Earth) Kalahasti (Vayu sthalam - Air) Tiruvanaikaval (Appu sthalam - Water). The temple houses the Akasha Lingam of Shiva and is considered one of the greatest Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu. The Govindaraja shrine adjacent to the Nataraja Shrine was constructed in 1639 C.E. by a Telugu/Kannada Nayak chief of that area.[3] Nataraja in Chidambaram Temple has been sung by many Tamil Saints including the Tevaram Trio - Sambanthar, Tirunavukkarasar, Sundaramurti Swamigal. Manickavasagar attained Mukti in Chidambaram by becoming one with Nataraja. The other Saiva Saint of importance who attained Mukti here is Nandanar. Nandanar, born in a caste of untouchables became exalted by his bhakti, that even the most conservative brahmins of Chidambaram worshipped him. Chidambaram hosts the most ancient set of the 108 Karana stone carvings, the key dance movements of Nataraja. The temple complex is spread over 40 acres (160,000 m2) in the heart of the city. Many thousands of devotees come to this auspicious temple to pay homage to the Dancing Siva.
The Temple houses the Shiva and Vishnu in the same complex,where a devotee can have darshan of Lord Shiva and Lord Govindaraja(Lord Vishnu) from a single place. The Govindaraja temple is also among the 108 dhivya desams of Vaishnavites.
The famous Natyanjali festival is held in the Nataraja temple complex every year during Maha shivaratri.Bharatanatyam dancers from different parts of the world offer their prayers to Lord Nataraja and perform in the temple complex
Traditional crafts
In Chidambaram, one can find a number of families who have engaged in the gold and silver ornament-making business for a very long time. The art is taught by one generation to the next. Most of the artifacts are hand created and are hence rich in quality and artistry.
Saint
Sri Raghavendra Swami was born as Sri Venkanna Bhatta, the second son of Sri Thimanna Bhatta and Smt. Gopikamba on Thursday, Sukla Saptami of Phalguna month in 1595, when the moon was in Mrigashirisha Nakshatra, at Bhuvanagiri, near present-day Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu.
Arutprakasa Vallalar Chidambaram Ramalingam: Ramalinga Adigal was the youngest child of Ramiah Pillai and his sixth wife Chinnamaiar, who lived in Marudur in South Arcot district, a village 15 km north-west of Chidambaram.
Education
Chidambaram is home to the Annamalai University. It is home to reputed medical and nursing schools.
Schools in Chidambaram: Government Nandanar Boys and Girls Higher secondary school. It is one of oldest education school, built by Swami Sahajananda Avargal.
Ramaswami Chettiar Town High School is a famous school opened in year 1913.
The Pachaiyappa Higher Secondary school is maintained by Pachaiyappa charities
There are other Privately run schools as well.
Hospitals
Chidambaram has a Government run public hospital and a tertiary referral hospital attached to Rajah Muthiah Medical College of Annamalai University. There are many small private nursing homes and hospitals. Edison.g.agoram memorial school
Transport
It is on the Karaikal-Cuddalore-Chennai highway and frequent buses are available from most major cities in Tamil Nadu. Buses and taxis are available to the Kollidam-Sirkazhi region. A major rail station is near the city. After the Gauge conversion night trains to Bangalore, Chennai and Coimbatore will be introduced.
Nearby Temple
padal pettra thalangal 1.Melakadambur-nearby 32 km southwest near kattumannarkoil,famous sculptural deity 2.Omampuliyur-30 km near kmkoil 3.Kanattumullur-35 km
Politics
Chidambaram assembly constituency is part of Chidambaram (Lok Sabha constituency).[4]
Real Estate
Like many areas in Tamil Nadu, real estate in the Chidambaram area is booming. Plots in the center of the city sell for 3-5,000 rupees per square foot. In the nearby Kollidam-Sirkazhi area, prime land can be gotten for 2-3 crores an acre.
Education
Long revered University - Annamalai University is located very near to the temple.It has a diversity of study department rendering educational services.
References
- ^ "Important Places - Chidambaram." 2004. http://www.nlcindia.co.in/about/about_05b.htm (accessed 05 Sept 2007).
- ^ Template:GR
- ^ "Chidambaram temple". Retrieved 2006-09-11.
- ^ "List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). Tamil Nadu. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
External links
- 360 view for Chidambaram Temple
- CHIDAMBARAM ENCYCLOPEDIA சிதம்பரம் பற்றிய களஞ்சியம்
- For the chidambaram temple.
- Cited and adapted from "Chidambaram", Encyclopedia Britannica (1911).
- "Enchanting Tamil Nadu" see Places --> Chidambaram
- cited from "122. Koyil (Chidambaram), Abodes of Shiva," TempleNet
- Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India
- Template:Wikitravel
public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. {{cite encyclopedia}}
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