Chidambaram Tour Packages
Chidambaram is home to the Thillai Nataraja Temple, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as the cosmic dancer.
Chidambaram at a glance
- LocationTamil Nadu, India
- Time zoneIndian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
- Driving sideLeft
- Calling code+91
- CurrencyIndian rupee (INR)
- LanguagesTamil
- Ideal stay1–2 days
- Getting thereChennai International Airport (MAA), about…
Best time to visit: November to March
Top Chidambaram travel packages
A few of our Chidambaram itineraries in different travel styles. Every one is private and can be changed to suit you.
Essential tips for travelling to Chidambaram
UPI and cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels; keep some cash for small shops, rural areas, hill towns and tips.
Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Drink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap and easy to find.
112 (all emergencies)
Languages spoken: Tamil.
Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli and Thoothukudi have airports. Trains link every major town, and a car with driver is the easiest way to string temples together.
Most large temples ask men to remove shirts in the inner sanctum and everyone to remove footwear; carry socks for hot stone floors.
Temple inner shrines usually close for a few hours in the early afternoon, so plan visits for the morning or evening.
Men remove their shirts inside the inner sanctum; carry a veshti or wear one bought at the temple shops.
General guidance. Local rules and services change; we confirm details for your dates.
Where is Chidambaram?
Who should visit Chidambaram?
Plan your Chidambaram trip
Everything you need to know about Chidambaram
Chidambaram is home to the Thillai Nataraja Temple, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as the cosmic dancer. Its gold-roofed Chit Sabha is the Pancha Bhoota temple of space, the temple's carvings of the 108 dance poses of Bharatanatyam are famous, and the Natyanjali festival brings dancers from across India each February or March. The Pichavaram mangroves are nearby.
Highlights include Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chit Sabha, Thillai Kali Amman Temple and Pichavaram mangroves. Local food worth trying: Chidambaram kothsu, Temple puliyodarai and Filter coffee. Plan 1–2 days here; it suits pilgrims, dance and temple architecture lovers. Our Chidambaram itineraries run from 3 to 9 days and every one can be changed to suit you.
When to go
November to March. Pleasant weather and the Natyanjali festival around Maha Shivaratri.
How to reach Chidambaram
- By air: Chennai International Airport (MAA), about 230 km
- By rail: Chidambaram railway station, on the Chennai–Thanjavur line
- By road: About 1.5 hours from Puducherry
View all Chidambaram packages
Private, customisable itineraries with prices quoted for your dates, hotel category and group size.
5D / 4NKanchipuram · Tiruvannamalai · Chidambaram · Tiruchirappalli (Srirangam)Pancha Bhoota Sthalam Yatra
Shiva's five elemental temples: earth at Ekambareswarar in Kanchipuram, fire at Tiruvannamalai, space at Chidambaram and water at Thiruvanaikaval, with Srikalahasti (air) as a day trip from Chennai.
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3D / 2NChidambaramChidambaram Nataraja & Pichavaram
Darshan at the Thillai Nataraja Temple, the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and a rowing boat through the Pichavaram mangroves, timed for Natyanjali on request.
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9D / 8NKanchipuram · Chidambaram · Kumbakonam · ThanjavurGrand Tamil Nadu Temple Tour
Tamil Nadu's great temples in one journey: Kanchipuram, Chidambaram, the Chola temples of Kumbakonam and Thanjavur, Srirangam, Madurai's Meenakshi and Rameswaram.
View itinerary →3 itineraries
More places in Tamil Nadu
Top things to see in Chidambaram
ChidambaramThe Pancha Bhoota shrine of space (akasha)
ChidambaramAncient Kali temple at the town's edge
Tamil NaduBoating through one of the world's largest mangrove forests
Tamil NaduHall carved as a chariot
Cultural experiences in Chidambaram
Heritage and landmarks
ChidambaramTemple of Shiva as Nataraja, with a gold-roofed sanctum
ChidambaramThe Pancha Bhoota shrine of space (akasha)
ChidambaramAncient Kali temple at the town's edge
Experiences
- Darshan at the Nataraja Temple
- Natyanjali dance festival (February or March)
Festivals and events marked with months happen only at those times of year; dates vary, so ask us before you plan around one.
On the menuFood to try
- Chidambaram kothsu
- Temple puliyodarai
- Filter coffee
Chidambaram travel tips
Visa and entry
Indian citizens do not need a visa; carry a government photo ID such as Aadhaar or a passport for hotels and flights.
Health and safety
Travel insurance is a good idea, especially for adventure activities. Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
Currency and tipping
The currency is the Indian rupee (INR). Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Best time to visit
November to March. Pleasant weather and the Natyanjali festival around Maha Shivaratri.
Getting around
Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli and Thoothukudi have airports. Trains link every major town, and a car with driver is the easiest way to string temples together.
Local etiquette
- Dress modestly at temples, churches and mosques, and remove footwear where asked.
- Ask before photographing people, and follow photography rules at religious sites and museums.
What to pack
Pack a light jacket or sweater for cool evenings, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and swimwear, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for religious sites and comfortable walking shoes.
Phone and internet
Mobile data is good in towns and cities.
Budget
We don't publish fixed prices because the season, hotel category, flights and group size change the cost. Your written quote lists exactly what is included, so you can compare like for like.
Chidambaram FAQs
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Destinations near Chidambaram
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Puducherry (Pondicherry) is a former French enclave three hours south of Chennai.
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Tirupati is the town at the foot of Tirumala hill, home to the Sri Venkateswara Temple, one of the most visited religious sites in the world.
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Bengaluru is India's tech capital, but it was a garden city long before: Lalbagh and Cubbon Park, Tipu Sultan's summer palace and the Bangalore Palace remain.
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Thekkady is the town beside Periyar Tiger Reserve, where a lake created by a nineteenth-century dam attracts elephants, gaur and deer to its shores.
KarnatakaMysuru
Mysuru (Mysore) was the seat of the Wodeyar kings, and its palace is one of the most visited monuments in India.
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