Tamil Nadu-Pilgrimage Centres
Chidambaram
Chidambaram is also known as "Thillai, since the place was originally a forest
of Thillai(Excecaria agallecha)shrubs. It is an important pilgrim centre and
a holy place for Saivaites as the famous Nataraja Temple is located here. Dedicated to Lord Nataraja, this ancient temple of the Cholas is unique not only it is devoted solely to the art of Bharatanatyam, but also it is one of the rare temples where Shiva is represented by an idol rather than the customary Lingam. Spread over an area of 40 acres with a gopuram on each side, the temple is distinguished by five sabhas or courts.
Kanchipuram
One
of India's seven great myth logically famous Hindu cities, Kancheepuram has
a plethora of temples, each one unique in its own way. There now remain about
126 temples in Kanchi and a few more in its outskirts. The city was the capital
of the Early Cholas as far back as the 2nd century BC and a Pallava capital
between the 6th and 8th centuries Given its illustrious past; it is not surprising
that Kanchi was a major seat of Tamil learning as well as an important place
of pilgrimage for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus. Today, apart from its temples,
this small town is also known for its thriving handloom industry. Woven from
pure mulberry silk, the sarees in dazzling colours are embellished with fine
gold thread (zari) and are available in every imaginable design and variety,
which can make the job of selection quite challenging. Gangaikondacholapuram
50 kms. from Chidambaram. Rajendra -1, a mighty Chola King, established his new capital here with this magnificent city and temple to Lord Siva. The temple is noted for its massiveness and richly carved sculptures. A big Nandi in front of the temple made of brick and mortar, a lion head well with a flight of steps leading to the water level and gigantic.Madurai
Madurai,
the second largest city in Tamil Nadu is situated on the banks of the river
Vaigai. An ancient city, more than 2,500 years old, Madurai is believed to have
been built by the Pandyan King Kulasekara in the 6th century BC. The city is said to have got its name from the drops of nectar (Mathuram) that fell from Shiva's locks when he came to bless its people for constructing a temple for him. From such legendary beginnings, the actual history of Madurai emerges sometime during the 3rd century BC when it was the prosperous Pandya's then capital which had trading contacts with Greece and Rome.
The palace of Tirumalai Nayak is about 1 km away from the temple. This Indo-Saracenic building was constructed in 1523 and was originally four times as large as it is today. There is no other building in Madurai which can better illustrate the architectural style of the Nayaks. The most remarkable part of this palace is the Swarga Vilasam which served as the audience hall. Its dome which lies beyond a huge courtyard is a magnificent example of the engineering skill of its builders, rising as it does to a height of 20m without support of any kind.
Tanjore
Green, airy, and scenically one of the most enchanting districts in the state Thanjavur lies to the east of Trichy and has the reputation as the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu.It is not surprising that the great Cholas chose Thanjavur as the location of some of their most magnificent creations, since this now small city once occupied the proud position as their capital and most treasured territory.Tanjore houses one of the best temples in South India, the Brahadeeshwarar temple or the Big Temple built by the greatest Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola, is that dynasty's finest contribution to Dravidan temple architecture. What makes the construction so unique is the diversion from the usual temple building norms of having a tall gopuram and a smaller vimanam (the tower over the sanctum). At the Big temple the vimanam soars high while the gopuram remain stunted. The tower is a testimony to the engineering skill of the Chola architects who planned its construction in such a way that the shadow of the cupola never falls on the ground.
Mamallapuram
Built in the 7th century, this ancient Pallava port is the site of several antique sculptural marvels. The only remaining shore temple is a spectacular two-spired shrine which is unique in that it houses shrines for Vishnu and Shiva. The Pal lavas had perfected the art of sculpting rocks to build temples without using brick, mortar or timber and the five monolith Raths (chariots) stand as the surviving masterpieces of Pallava sculpture.Arjuna's penance is the world's largest bas relief measuring 27m by 9m. This sculptural panel shows animals, Gods and Angels contemplating the descent of the Ganges from its source in the Himalayas and also depicts popular fables from the Panchatantra. Besides these, the Mahishamardhini Cave, the Krishna Mandapam and Varsha Mandapam also have beautiful reliefs depicting Vishnu reclining on the coils of seven headed serpent, Krishna as incarnation of Vishnu lifting mount Goverdhana to protect his kinsman from the wrath of Indra respectively.
