Chidambaram

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  ?Chidambaram
Tamil Nadu • India
Coordinates: 11°24′N 79°42′E / 11.4, 79.7
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area
• Elevation
• 3 m (10 ft)
District(s) Cuddalore
Population 58,968 (2001)

Coordinates: 11°24′N 79°42′E / 11.4, 79.7

This article is about the town in Cuddalore district. For the current union Finance Minister of India, see P. Chidambaram.

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.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Chidambaram is located at 11.4° N 79.7° E[1]. It has an average elevation of 3 metres (9 feet). The town is in the Kollidam River Valley.[2]

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census[3], 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.

[edit] 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 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.[4]

[edit] 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.

[edit] Traditional crafts

In Chidambaram you can find a huge number of families who have been engaged in the gold and sliver 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.

[edit] Education

[edit] References, Notes, Related Links

  1. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Chidambaram
  2. ^ "Important Places - Chidambaram." 2004. http://www.nlcindia.co.in/about/about_05b.htm (accessed 05 Sept 2007).
  3. ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
  4. ^ Chidambaram temple. Retrieved on 2006-09-11.

[edit] External links

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

Cuddalore District
Taluk

Chidambaram | Cuddalore | Kattumannarkoil | Panruti | Thittakudi | Vriddhachalam
Blocks

Annagramam | Bhuvanagiri | Cuddalore | Kammapuram | Kattumannarkoil | Keerapalayam | Komaratchi | Kurinjipadi | Mangalur | Nallur | Panruti | Parangipettai | Vriddhachalam
Corporation

None
Municipality

Chidambaram | Cuddalore | Nellikuppam | Panruti | Vriddhachalam
Town Panchayat

Annamalai Nagar | Bhuvanagiri | Gangaikondan | Kattumannarkoil | Killai | Kurinjipadi | Lalpet | Mangalampet | Melpattampakkam | Parangipettai | Pennadam | Sethiathoppu | Srimushnam | Thorapadi | Thittakudi | Vadalur