Chidambaram
 | This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (July 2007) |
Chidambaram
Chidambaram | |
|---|---|
city | |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 58,968 |
Chidambaram is a municipality and taluk (tehsil) headquarters in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. It is 11 km from the coast and 240 km south of Chennai by rail. Chidambaram is a major pilgramage site for Shaivites as the temple there houses the Akasha Lingam of Shiva.
Geography
Chidambaram is located at 11°23′58.87″N 79°41′37.04″E / 11.3996861°N 79.6936222°E. It has an average elevation of 3 metres (9 ft). The town is in the Kollidam River Valley.[1]
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%, 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 Chidambaram Temple (Tamil: சிதம்பரம் கோயில் ), dedicated to Lord Shiva (or Siva) in His form of the Cosmic Dancer, Nataraja நடராசர், is a temple complex spread over 40 acres (160,000 m2) in the heart of the city. It is an ancient and historic temple dedicated to Lord Shiva Nataraja and Lord Govindaraja Perumal, one of the few temples where both the Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities are enshrined in one place. The govindaraja shrine was opened in 1639.C.E, by a telugu/kannada nayak chief of that area.[3]
Mangrove forest
Pichavaram, a place with a unique mangrove forest, is located at the meeting point of the river and the sea. An interesting fact is that the water level increases and decreases every half an hour. We can see a variety of rare creatures there, including frogs, kingfishers, snakes etc. It is maintained now under the state board of tourism and boats are arranged by them for visitors to go for a ride.
Traditional crafts
In Chidambaram you can find a huge number of families who have been engaged in the gold and silver ornament making business for a very long time. The art is transferred from generation to generation and thus they can excel in their art, over anyone in the rest of the country. Most of the artifacts are hand created and hence are rich in quality and artistry.
Education
- Home to the Annamalai University
Transport
It is on the cuddalore chennai highway
Politics
Chidambaram assembly constituency is part of Chidambaram (Lok Sabha constituency).[4]
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
- 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
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
See also
