Chidambaram and Pichavaram Temple Coast

A UNESCO listed Chola temple built by Rajendra Chola about 1,000 years ago, with a tall stone tower and a huge Nandi. It is quiet and far less crowded than Thanjavur. The inner shrine opens again at about 4 PM. Remove shoes at the gate.

The temple of Shiva as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, with a golden roof over the inner hall. The evening pooja, with lamps, bells and drums, usually starts around 6 PM. Men may be asked to remove shirts near the inner shrine. Cover shoulders and knees and leave shoes at the gate.

A Shiva temple where he is worshipped as the healer of all illness. It is also the Mars temple among the nine planet temples. Many families come for the famous palm leaf astrology readers in the streets outside, which is your choice and not part of the tour.

The temple of Abirami and Amirthagateswarar, where couples come to celebrate their 60th and 80th birthdays with special pujas. You may see a family ceremony going on. Special pujas cost extra.

A Danish fort built in 1620 right on the beach, with a small museum inside. The fort is closed on Fridays. If this day is a Friday, you see it from outside and walk the beach instead.

A 1306 Shiva temple half taken by the sea, then a short walk up King Street past the old town gate, Danish houses and churches.

Poompuhar was a great Chola port. The gallery tells the Tamil epic Silappathikaram in stone carvings, and the beach is next door. Swimming is not safe here.

The Tamil Nadu Tourism boat house is about 16 km from Chidambaram. A boatman rows you through narrow green tunnels of mangrove roots, very quiet, with herons and egrets. Your rowing boat is included. Life jackets are given and must be worn. Weekends and holidays get crowded, so we come early.