Chidambaram
Chidambaram
சிதம்பரம் | |
---|---|
UTC+5:30 (IST) | |
PIN | 608001 |
Telephone code | +91-4144 |
Vehicle registration | TN-91 |
Website | http://Cuddalore.tn.nic.in |
Chidambaram is a town and
Chidambaram covers an area of 4.8 km2 (1.9 sq mi) and had a population of 62,153 as of 2011. It is administered by a
Etymology and legend
Chidambaram is one of the many temple towns in the state which is named after the groves, clusters or forests dominated by a particular variety of a tree or shrub and the same variety of tree or shrub sheltering the presiding deity.[2] The traditional name of the temple complex, Chidambaram Thillai Nataraja-koothan Kovil. The mangrove forests of Thillai trees (Excoecaria agallocha) were abundant in the town once. The temple and the town were once in the midst of Thillai trees. The Thillai trees of the nearby Pichavaram wetlands, the second largest mangrove forest in the world, extends to the temple area. The shrine is venerated as Thillai ambalam literally meaning the open stage of Thillai.[3] The name of the town of this shrine, Chidambaram comes from the Tamil word Chitrambalam (also spelled Chithambalam) meaning "wisdom atmosphere". The roots are citta or chitthu means consciousness or wisdom while and ambalam means "atmosphere".[4][5] This composite word comes from its association with Nataraja (Shiva), the cosmic dancer and the cultural atmosphere for arts.[4]
According to Hindu legend, in the Thillai forests resided a group of sages who believed in the supremacy of magic — that the gods could be controlled by rituals and mantras. Shiva, hearing this, assumed the form of Bhikshatana, a simple mendicant seeking alms, and went walking in Thillai. He was followed by his consort, Vishnu as Mohini. The sages and their wives were enchanted by the beauty of the pair. On seeing their womenfolk enchanted, the angry sages performed a ritual to create serpents (nāga). Shiva lifted the serpents and donned them as ornaments on his matted locks, neck and waist. Further enraged, the sages invoked a fierce tiger, whose skin was used by Shiva as a shawl around his waist. Then followed a fierce elephant, which was ripped to death and devoured by Shiva (an episode depicted in the Gajasurasamhara). The sages gathered all their spiritual strength and invoked the powerful demon Muyalakan — a symbol of complete arrogance and ignorance.[citation needed] Shiva smiled gently, stepped on the demon's back to immobilise him, and performed the Ánanda Thandavam (the dance of eternal bliss), thus disclosing his true form. The sages surrendered, realizing that rituals cannot control the gods.[6]
History
There is reference to the temple or the town in
There are several inscriptions available in the temple and referring to the Chidambaram temple in neighbouring areas. Most inscriptions available pertain to the periods of Cholas -
Geography and climate
Chidambaram is located at 11°23′N 79°41′E / 11.39°N 79.69°E. The town is located in Cuddalore district of the South Indian state, Tamil Nadu, 215 km (134 mi) from Chennai. Chidambaram is located close to the shores of Bay of Bengal. The topography is almost plain with forests around the town, with no major geological formation. There are no notable mineral resources available in and around the town. The soil types are alluvial and red that are conducive for crops like paddy, pulses and chili peppers. The temperature ranges from a maximum of 32.7 °C (90.9 °F) to a minimum of 24 °C (75 °F). Like the rest of the state, April to June are the hottest months and December to January are the coldest. Chidambaram receives an average of 10 mm (0.39 in) annually, which is lesser than the state average of 1,008 mm (39.7 in). The South west monsoon, with an onset in June and lasting up to August, brings scanty rainfall. Bulk of the rainfall is received during the North East monsoon in the months of October, November and December. The average number of rainy days ranges from 35 to 40 every year.[11][12]
Climate data for Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 28.4 (83.1) |
29.8 (85.6) |
32.0 (89.6) |
33.9 (93.0) |
36.4 (97.5) |
37.0 (98.6) |
35.6 (96.1) |
34.8 (94.6) |
34.2 (93.6) |
31.8 (89.2) |
29.4 (84.9) |
28.0 (82.4) |
32.6 (90.7) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 21.1 (70.0) |
21.7 (71.1) |
23.4 (74.1) |
25.8 (78.4) |
27.0 (80.6) |
26.8 (80.2) |
26.2 (79.2) |
25.4 (77.7) |
25.2 (77.4) |
24.3 (75.7) |
23.0 (73.4) |
21.7 (71.1) |
24.3 (75.7) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 34 (1.3) |
12 (0.5) |
15 (0.6) |
23 (0.9) |
47 (1.9) |
37 (1.5) |
68 (2.7) |
133 (5.2) |
113 (4.4) |
230 (9.1) |
337 (13.3) |
199 (7.8) |
1,248 (49.2) |
Source: Climate-Data.org[13] |
Demographics
According to 2011 census, Chidambaram had a population of 62,153 with a sex-ratio of 1,032 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.[14] A total of 5,869 were under the age of six, constituting 2,990 males and 2,879 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 6.81% and .09% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the city was 83.24%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.[14] The city had a total of 15,166 households. There were a total of 22,194 workers, comprising 241 cultivators, 180 main agricultural labourers, 489 in household industries, 16,110 other workers, 5,174 marginal workers, 83 marginal cultivators, 213 marginal agricultural labourers, 401 marginal workers in household industries and 4,477 other marginal workers.[15]
As of 2001, the town covered an area of 480 hectares (4.8 km2). Out of the total area, 88 per cent of the land constituting 432 hectares (4.32 km2) is marked developed and the remaining area is used for agriculture and remains under water.
Chidambaram temple
The temple complex is spread over an area of 40 acres (160,000 m2) in the heart of the city. The main complex is dedicated to Shiva
Economy
Tourism forms the economic base of Chidambaram. There are household industries like weaving is present within town limits, otherwise, there are no major industries in the town. As of 2001, the worker population constituted 18,249 people amounting to 31.6 per cent of the total population. Out of the total workforce, 16.059 constituting 88 per cent people were employed in the tertiary sector, 1,277 people constituting 7 per cent were involved in the secondary sector and 912 people constituting 5 per cent were involved in primary sector activities. The primary sector consists of local and regional marketing, with paddy being the primary traded product, followed by cereals, black gram, pulses, sugarcane and gingelly. The secondary sector activities consist of household activities and cane furniture manufacturing. The tertiary sector activities are the tourism-related activities centred on the Thillai Natarajar temple. The town has a floating population of around 100,000 every year being mainly religious tourists. Annamalai University, located in the outskirts of the town is also another major industrial driver. The town is a centre for trading for the surrounding villages, housing provisional stores, food grain stores, vegetable shops, hotels, markets and fertilizer shops.[21]
Education and utility services
As of 2011, there were eleven government schools: six primary schools, three middle schools and two higher secondary schools in Chidambram. There were nine other private schools within the town.[22] Chidambaram is home to the Annamalai University. Annamalai University is a public university located in Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India.Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Rajah Muthiah Dental College, Muthiah Polytechnic College, Government Arts College, Ragavendra Arts and science college, C.S. Jain College of Pharmacy and Perunthalaivar Kamaraj Institute of Maritime and Science Engineering College(pkimsec) are some of the prominent colleges in the town.
Electricity supply to Chidambaram is regulated and distributed by the
As per the municipal data for 2011, about 31 metric tonnes of solid waste were collected from Chidambaram every day by door-to-door collection and subsequently the source segregation and dumping was carried out by the sanitary department of the Chidambaram municipality. The coverage of solid waste management in the town by the municipality had an efficiency of 100% as of 2001.[25] There is no underground drainage system in the town and the sewerage system for disposal of sullage is through septic tanks, open drains and public conveniences. The municipality maintained a total of 23.372 km (14.523 mi) of storm water drains in 2011.[26] As of 2011, there was one government hospital namely Kamaraj Government Hospital, one municipal maternity home and 17 private hospitals and clinics that take care of the health care needs of the citizens.[27] As of 2011, the municipality maintained a total of 1,856 street lamps: 339 sodium lamps, 1,500 tube lights and 17 high mast beam lamps.[28][29] The municipality operates four markets, namely the Daily Market West Car street, Gnanaprakasam market, North Main road fish market and Omakulam fish market that cater to the needs of the town and the rural areas around it.[30]
Culture
The festivals in Chidambaram are centred on the festivals of the temple. The Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai festival celebrated in December–January indicates the first puja, the fourteenth day after the new moon (Chaturdashi) of the month of Masi (February–March) indicates the second pooja, the Chittirai Thiruvonam (in April–May), indicates the third pooja or uchikalam, the Uthiram of Aani (June–July) also called the Aani Thirumanjanam indicates the evening or the fourth puja, the chaturdasi of Aavani (August–September) indicates the fifth puja and the chaturdasi of the month of Puratasi (October–November) indicates the sixth pooja or Arthajama. Of these, the Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai (in December–January) and the Aani Thirumanjanam (in June–July) are the most important festivals. During these festivals, the festive deity is brought outside the sanctum sanctorum in a procession that includes a temple car procession followed by a long anointing ceremony.[31] Several hundreds of thousands of people flock the temple to see the anointing ceremony and the ritualistic dance of Shiva when he is taken back to the sanctum sanctorum. Shiva, in his incarnation of Nataraja, is believed to have born on full moon day in the constellation of Ardra, the sixth lunar mansion. Lord Shiva is bathed only 6 times a year, and on the previous night of Ardra, the bath rituals are performed on a grand scale. Pots full of milk, pomegranate juices, coconut water, ghee, oil, sandal paste, curds, holy ashes, and other liquids and solids, considered as a sacred offering to the deity are used for the sacred ablution.[10]
Natyanjali is a prominent festival celebrated during February every year when bharatanatyam dancers from all over the country converge to present dance offering to Nataraja.[31]
Notable people
- Appayya Dikshitar
- Venki Ramakrishnan (b. 1952), structural biologist and Nobel prizewinner, born in Chidambaram.
Municipal administration and politics
Chidambaram is administered by a selective-grade municipality formed as third-grade municipality in 1873, upgraded to a second-grade in 1949, first-grade in 1974 and a selection-grade in 1998. The municipality covers an area of 11.16 km2 (4.31 sq mi) and also the
Chidambaram comes under the
Law and order in the town is maintained by the Chidambaram sub division of the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu Police headed by a Deputy Superintendent. There is one police station in the town located in West Car street.[39][40]
Transport
The Chidambaram municipality maintains 64.12 km (39.84 mi) of road. The town has 8.44 km (5.24 mi) concrete roads and 48.69 km (30.25 mi) bituminous road. A total of 5 km (3.1 mi) of state highways is maintained by the State Highways Department and 6 km (3.7 mi) by the National Highways Department. It is located at a distance of 223 km (139 mi) from Chennai, 335 km (208 mi) from Madurai, 375 km (233 mi) from
Minibus service operated by private companies cater to the local transport needs. The main bus stand is located in the heart of the town and has 46 bus bays.
Pondicherry Airport(PNY) is the nearest airport located around 66 kilometres north of Chidambaram.
See also
- Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
- Divya Sri Govindaraja Perumal Temple (Thiruchitrakoodam)
- Thillai Kali Temple, Chidambaram
- Thiruvetkalam Shiva Temple, Vadakiruppu
- Thirunelvayil Shiva Temple, Sivapuri
- Tirukkazhippalai Palvannanathar Temple
- Annamalai University
- Pichavaram
- Chidambaranatha Soorappa Chozhanar
- Port Novo
- Veeramudayanatham
Notes
Footnotes
- ^ The municipalities in Tamil Nadu are graded special, selection, grade I and grade II based on income and population.
Citations
- ^ "Tamil Nadu (India): Districts, Cities, Towns and Outgrowth Wards - Population Statistics in Maps and Charts". Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ^ Reddy, 2013, p. 10
- ^ Rao, T. A. Gopinatha; Dasgupta, Kalyan Kumar (1971). Elements of Hindu iconography, Volume 1, Part 1. p. 43.
- ^ a b Chidambaram Archived 17 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Encyclopaedia Britannica
- ^ B., Natarajan (1974). The city of the cosmic dance: Chidambaram. Orient Longman. p. 14.
- ^ Anand 2004, p. 149
- ^ a b Kulke 2004, p. 145
- ^ Jones 2007, p. 107
- ^ a b c Soundara Rajan 2001, p. 263-264
- ^ a b Sastri 2003, pp. 2-9
- ^ "About the town". Chidambaram Municipality. Archived from the original on 1 December 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
- ^ Urban Infrastructure Report 2008, p. 5
- ^ "CLIMATE: CHIDAMBARAM, Tamil Nadu", Climate-Data.org. Web: [1] Archived 3 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ a b "Census Info 2011 Final population totals". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ^ "Census Info 2011 Final population totals - Chidambaram". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ^ Urban Infrastructure Report 2008, p. 12
- ^ Urban Infrastructure Report 2008, p. 26
- ^ "Below poverty line" (PDF). Chidambaram Municipality. 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Population By Religious Community - Tamil Nadu" (XLS). Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2011. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ Dehejia 1990, p. 101
- ^ Urban Infrastructure Report 2008, pp. 10-12
- ^ "Educational Institutions". Chidambaram municipality. 2011. Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
- ^ "Important Address" (PDF). Indian Wind Power Association. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 October 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
- ^ "Water Supply Details". Chidambaram Municipality. 2011. Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
- ^ "Waste management programme". Chidambaram Municipality. 2011. Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
- ^ "Storm water drains of Chidambaram". Chidambaram municipality. 2011. Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
- ^ "Chidambaram hospitals". Chidambaram municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu. 2011. Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
- ^ "Chidambaram street lights". Chidambaram Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu. 2011. Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
- ^ a b Urban Infrastructure Report 2008, p. 24
- ^ "Chidambaram markets". Chidambaram Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu. 2011. Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
- ^ a b Let's Go, Inc 2004, p. 597
- ^ "About the municipality". Chidambaram municipality. 2011. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
- ^ "Commissionerate of Municipal Administration". Commissionerate of Municipal Administration. 2006. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
- ^ "Councillors of municipality". Chidambaram municipality. 2011. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
- ^ "Economic and political weekly, Volume 30". Sameeksha Trust. 1995: 2396. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ "List of Assembly Constituencies". Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu state government. 2010. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
- ^ "Partywise Comparison Since 1977". Election Commission of India. 2011. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
- ^ "MLA of Chidambaram". Government of Tamil Nadu. 2011. Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
- ^ "Chidambaram Police". Chidambaram municipality. 2011. Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
- ^ "Karur subdivision police". Tamil Nadu Police. Archived from the original on 11 October 2011. Retrieved 2013-08-08.
- ^ a b Urban Infrastructure Report 2008, p. 23
- ^ a b "Chidambaram bus routes". Chidambaram municipality. 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "S.E.T.C. Tamil Nadu Ltd., Computer reservation centres". Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd. 2011. Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
References
- Anand, Swami P.; Swami Parmeshwaranand (2004). Encyclopedia of the Śaivism. New Delhi: Sarup & Sons. p. 149. ISBN 81-7625-427-4. Archivedfrom the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
ananda tandava.
- Bajwa, Jagir Singh; Ravinder Kaur (2007). Tourism Management. New Delhi: S.B. Nangia. ISBN 978-81-313-0047-3.
- Dehejia, Vidya (1990). Art of the imperial Cholas. USA: Columbia University Press. ISBN 0-231-07188-4.
- Kamalabaskaran, Iswari (1994). The light of Arunachaleswarar. Affiliated East-West Press Pvt. Ltd.
- Knapp, Stephen (2005). The Heart of Hinduism: The Eastern Path to Freedom, Empowerment and Illumination. NE: iUniverse. ISBN 978-0-595-35075-9.
- Kulke, Hermann; Dietmar Rothermund (2004). A History of India. Oxon: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-32920-5.
- Let's Go, Inc (2004). Let's go: India & Nepal, 2004. New York: Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-32006-X..
- M.K.V., Narayan (2007). Flipside of Hindu Symbolism: Sociological and Scientific Linkages in Hinduism. California: Fultus Corporation. ISBN 978-1-59682-117-0.
- Ramaswamy, Vijaya (2007). Historical dictionary of the Tamils. United States: Scarecrow Press, INC. ISBN 978-0-470-82958-5.
- Reddy, G.Venkatramana (2013). Alayam - The Hindu temple - An epitome of Hindu Culture. Mylapore, Chennai: Sri Ramakrishna Math. p. 31. ISBN 978-81-7823-542-4.
- Sastri, Natesa; S. M. Natesa Sastri (2003). Hindu feasts, fasts and ceremonies. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. ISBN 81-206-0402-4.
- Soundara Rajan, Kodayanallur Vanamamalai (2001). Concise classified dictionary of Hinduism By Kodayanallur Vanamamalai Soundara Rajan. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 81-7022-857-3.
- Spear, Heidi (2011). The Everything Guide to Chakra Healing: Use Your Body's Subtle Energies to promote Health, Healing and Happiness. USA: Adams Media. ISBN 978-1-4405-2649-7.
- Urban Infrastructure report (2008). Conversion of City Corporate Plan into Business Plan (PDF) (Report). Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
External links
- "Enchanting Tamil Nadu" see Places --> Chidambaram
- Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 6 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 132. .