Started during noon after doing an early lunch . Estimated time to Chidambaram from Chennai- (velachery) is 5 hrs 15 mins . To cover around 225 Kms approx . Route planned to take is ECR , Pondichery , Cuddalore Chidambaram .
Decided not to stop anywhere till Pondicherry so that it will ensure major distance is covered . was able to stick to the plan . Tea buds started asking for the evening beverage ...Before getting into cuddaore there is 100 meters were road becomes one way and saw a hotel Ananta Bhavan . This is not A2B chain . But hotel was good .. new one .. neat and clean . They had some lodging as well on the top floors with a different name . Overall place was good . With some tea and vazhakkai Bhajji loaded started the next leg to Chidambaram
Idea was to hit temple before 7 pm as that is the time evening pooja is done . Traffic was not bad and was able to hit Chidambaram by 6.15 . Not bad for a start at 1.45 Pm .
Freshened up and planned to go to Nataraja temple . Booking was done near to a lodge near south car street . Walkable from there to the temple . Nataraja lodge is a basic lodge with all essential items required for. Day stay . 1500 Rs Maximum . You cann call and book or online also available.
Entered temple by 6.45 and crowd was not much . Temple is indeed big . Have to really appreciate Chola kings for their marvel . Temple has four entrance and identical in nature . So that will be main tip to the travellers. Ensure which direction you are entering and that will help to you to plan entire journey arouund temple . All restarants and shops are around these four streets surrounding temple . West street known as Mele Veethi has maximum shops .
Now main point - Chidambaram Temple
Chidambaram temple is famous for having all three roopas of siva widely known as Roopam(shape), aroopam$shapeless),rooparoopam(mixed).
Pooja happens 6 times a day . Chidambara Rahasyam is the opportunity to see rooparoopam when it opens for a minute during this six time. I visited morning 7 am and night 8 pm . Morning darshan was awesome. Night darshan will be good to stand at a point where you could see both Govindaraju swamy and Nataraja together .with all devotional chants and big bells of temple sounds it is mesmerising. Mahavishnu is in sleeping form ..ananthashayanam. A good one ....
Summary
Places to stay
Nataraja Lodge
Akshaya
To eat
Lakshmi Vilas
Chennai Saravana Bhavan
Udupi vilas
Palagaram MI
Pallavi
Local Snacks
Casino Bakery group for cakes
Muthaliyar shop west street for halwa
Shanmugha Vilas
Please read the earlier series of this journey at Phase 0
Decided not to stop anywhere till Pondicherry so that it will ensure major distance is covered . was able to stick to the plan . Tea buds started asking for the evening beverage ...Before getting into cuddaore there is 100 meters were road becomes one way and saw a hotel Ananta Bhavan . This is not A2B chain . But hotel was good .. new one .. neat and clean . They had some lodging as well on the top floors with a different name . Overall place was good . With some tea and vazhakkai Bhajji loaded started the next leg to Chidambaram
Idea was to hit temple before 7 pm as that is the time evening pooja is done . Traffic was not bad and was able to hit Chidambaram by 6.15 . Not bad for a start at 1.45 Pm .Freshened up and planned to go to Nataraja temple . Booking was done near to a lodge near south car street . Walkable from there to the temple . Nataraja lodge is a basic lodge with all essential items required for. Day stay . 1500 Rs Maximum . You cann call and book or online also available.
Entered temple by 6.45 and crowd was not much . Temple is indeed big . Have to really appreciate Chola kings for their marvel . Temple has four entrance and identical in nature . So that will be main tip to the travellers. Ensure which direction you are entering and that will help to you to plan entire journey arouund temple . All restarants and shops are around these four streets surrounding temple . West street known as Mele Veethi has maximum shops .
Now main point - Chidambaram Temple
Chidambaram temple is famous for having all three roopas of siva widely known as Roopam(shape), aroopam$shapeless),rooparoopam(mixed).
Pooja happens 6 times a day . Chidambara Rahasyam is the opportunity to see rooparoopam when it opens for a minute during this six time. I visited morning 7 am and night 8 pm . Morning darshan was awesome. Night darshan will be good to stand at a point where you could see both Govindaraju swamy and Nataraja together .with all devotional chants and big bells of temple sounds it is mesmerising. Mahavishnu is in sleeping form ..ananthashayanam. A good one ....
Summary
Places to stay
Nataraja Lodge
Akshaya
To eat
Lakshmi Vilas
Chennai Saravana Bhavan
Udupi vilas
Palagaram MI
Pallavi
Local Snacks
Casino Bakery group for cakes
Muthaliyar shop west street for halwa
Shanmugha Vilas
Please read the earlier series of this journey at Phase 0
