[kvsneela]

Background:

There is a red star in Orion constellation called Betelgeuse which is 10th brightest start in the night sky (first is Sirius) and second brightest in Orion constellation after Rigel. Its name is derived from Arabic “Yad Al-Jawza” which means the hand of Al-Jawza (Orion) and the astronomical name is Alpha Ori. Its name is Ardra in Sanskrit and Aadhirai in Tamizh. This star is connected with Lord Rudra in Rig Veda which in latter period after the development of trinity (of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva) connected with Lord Siva. Since its most prominent visibility is in January, Aadhirai in this month is called as Thiruvaadhirai (Thiru being the word for respect in Tamizh) and Siva temples would have a blast of functions for 10 days totally ending with this day every year which happened to be on 13th January in 2025. The most famous of this function happens at Chidambaram Natarajar Temple. This temple is considered one of the five ancient Pancha Bhuta Thalam, representing the element of ether (Sky). The cosmic dance of Lord Shiva, known as the Ananda Tandava, is a symbolic representation of the creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe. It is said that Shiva performs this dance in this temple and that is reason the idol is in dancing stance. The dance is depicted with Shiva standing on one leg, with his other leg raised in a gesture of triumph. His four arms represent the four cardinal directions, and his hands hold the drum of creation, the fire of destruction, the axe of dissolution, and the lily of knowledge.

Planning:

One of my friends had some Trust connection through his family at the temple in Chidambaram. Wife being in spiritual mood most of the times nowadays, had asked him to inform about their trip in advance so that we could also plan. So, in Nov’24, he informed about his plan (group of 5 people from Chennai) and asked us to take care of our accommodation accordingly. The programme was for 2 days i.e. Jan 12th and 13th 2025. We were supposed to reach Chidambaram on 11th evening.

We searched for accommodation immediately and found that most of the hotels were already booked in November itself. Finally, could get in Krish Garden Resort on Railway Feeder Road and booked by paying 1000/- advance. On 10th January, got confirmation from my friend that the trip was on. Only change was originally they booked in LIC guest house (on same Railway feeder road) but could not get confirmation in last minute. Finally, they stayed at Ponnambalam Thirumana Mandapam (a Marriage Hall) on Mannargudi Street Non-Ac rooms for Rs 600/- /night/room where as ours was Rs 2800/-/night.

The trip:

11.01.2025 (Saturday):

This was Pradosham day and as usual wife had planned for Paadaleeswarar temple visit at Cuddalore. As we were planning Ayodhya, Prayag, Varanasi trip in March and the return tickets 60 days’ time fell exactly on 11th January, I had to wait until 8 AM for IRCTC portal to open (though IRCTC ticket booking is possible between 0.30 AM to 11.45 PM, on the first day of the 60 days booking period it is possible to book from 8 AM only which is the opening time for offline counters). After ticket booking, started for Cuddalore and reached around 11 AM. 11th Jan being our son’s birthday, wife had arranged for free lunch donation at the temple. After finishing at the temple took lunch at A2B nearby (food was ok and parking was available) and started for Chidambaram. Reached Krish Garden at around 3.30 PM. We had been booked in a Suite type accommodation with 3 beds. Also had Free Wi-Fi with smart TV and DTH connection. Parking was enough to accommodate 10 cars. Overall, the stay was good but only problem was approaching road which was narrow from the Railway station side. There was another road which connects ECR but did not have opportunity to try as our Spresso did not have any problems in small lanes (other cars like Bolero Neo, Nexon, Sonet did not have that luxury).


New Toll between Cuddalore and Chidambaram

Chariots waiting for function in fromt of the temple.

Road towards Krish Garden

Krish Garden

Since it was Pradosham day which normally starts from 4 PM in Siva temples (but for convenience we used to visit Cuddalore temple in the mornings) and Wife did not want to miss the opportunity to visit the most important Siva temple in Tamil Nadu. So, I dropped her at the junction of East and South car streets and returned to the resort as normally I visit only less crowded temples. I picked her up again at around 8 Pm at the same place but only difference was traffic was heavy that time as a rehearsal for what was to expect in next 2 days. At one place in Umaiyal Lane, I wonder, other than Spresso (or Alto) any other car could have squeezed through.


No traffic while dropping wife in the evening

Traffic condition at same road while pick up

Had dinner at resort itself. They provide Idlis, Dosais, Chappathi for dinner on payment basis which was enough for us since dinner in the town was out of question as parking had become more and more difficult due to the function days approaching. Meanwhile our friend’s group also reached their accommodation.

12.01.2025 ( Sunday):

We already got the information to reach the Marriage Hall by 4.30 Am so that all could be inside the temple by 5 AM. That day was called Therottam day (Procession of Chariots) by which 5 chariots used to carry 5 idols of Pillayaar (Ganesha), Muruga (Karthik), Natarajar (Siva), Sivakami (Parvathi) and Chandikeswarar (who was one of the 63 Shaiva poets called Nayanmars). Every temple will have one Moolavar idol which is fixed in Sanctum and Urchavar Idol which is used for processions. Here the same Natarajar idol is used in both places. There is also a Crystal Lingam but not used in Processions. The chariots would start from Eastern side and move around the temple and roads around were completed blocked for traffic.
I handed over wife to the Chennai group and returned to resort to continue my sleep. At around 8 Am I got a call from wife saying that their visit for the day was over in the temple and they had a plan to visit other temples in that area (as there is no other work that day). So, I finished the complimentary breakfast (which was a buffet with Idlis and Pooris with chutney / sambar etc., Also Cornflakes and bread butter toast). So, after breakfast I reached the North and East car corner as instructed. Since they were 5 in group one more car was booked so that all can travel comfortably.




Chariot procession

First destination was Thiruvidaikazhi Murugan Temple. It is about few kms from Thirukadaiyur, right turn from ECR, through village roads. As per legend Lord Muruga (Karthikeya) had sinned by killing Asura who was a Siva devotee. So, Muruga prayed to Lord Siva to remove the sin from here. Also, the engagement between Muruga and Devayani (Devasena) happened here. Since farewell was given to the sin and Devyani (to Thiruparankundram for their marriage) it is called Thiru+Vidai+Kazhi (vidai means farewell). We reached the temple around 10 AM via Seerkazhi bypass. Not much crowded and spent 30 minutes.


ECR joining

ECR widening process

Thirukadaiyur

Right turn from Main road

Right turn at Thillaiyadi

Entrance to the temple


Murugan temple

Then moved on to next destination which was Anandhamangalam Anjaneyar temple. Reached the temple in 15 minutes which was on the other side of ECR. The main temple is called Rajagopala Samy temple and the Anjaneyar is called Thrinetra Dasabuja Veera Anjaneyar (3 eyes and 10 arms). As per legend Hanuman rested here after the Lanka war while returning to Ayodhya. Again, not crowded and on the way to Thirukadaiyur after 30 minutes.




Anandhamangalam Anjaneyar Temple

But this time we were in a hurry as Thirukadaiyur Amritaghateswarar-Abirami Temple would be closed at 1 PM. We reached the temple at around 12.30 which was slightly crowded as this temple is famous for the 60,70,80 years ceremonies (Shashthiabdapurti, Bhima Ratha Shanthi and Sathabhishekam). As per legend, after getting nectar (ambrosia) from churning of ocean of milk in a pot, Devas forgot to worship Lord Ganesha and so Ganesha stole the port and hid it in Thirukadaiyur. This was the place were Lord Siva saved Markandeya from Yama to give him eternal age of 16. Based on the legend of Markandeya, it is believed that worshiping at this temple will give longevity to couples (but mainly done for the husbands).




Thirukadaiyur Temple

After this temple visit, took lunch at Anandha Bhavan( Food was good and had good parking and toilet facilities also) on Seerkazhi bypass and returned to Chidambaram at around 4 PM and found many roads were closed for traffic and had to take alternative roads using GMaps. Had some rest and took dinner again at the resort itself. Slept early as we needed to be in the temple at 2.30 AM next day.

13.01.2025(Monday):

Reached the marriage hall at around 2.30 AM, dropped them at the Southern Entrance of the temple by 3 AM again and returned to the resort. Finished the buffet breakfast (Idlis and Pooris) at 8 AM. Wife informed at 11 AM that the Thiruvaadhirai program was over and they were about to enter the temple again to have the normal visit which might take up to 2 PM. Meanwhile they visited Thillai Kaali Amman temple also. Legend was that Parvati lost to Lord Siva in the dance contest and settled here in aggressive form of Kaali. But since our resort room had check out time of 12 AM, I vacated the room and occupied one of the rooms in marriage hall temporarily as they would be away at the temple. But at 1.30 PM they returned without entering as it was delayed to have the decorations after the morning functions and Chennai group had train to catch at 3 PM. I thought wife might want to continue (as she always completes her temple programmes in full) but she also returned with them saying that it would not be appropriate to get in alone without others. We had free lunch at the marriage hall itself (one of the best I had) as their Trust gives free meals for few occasions round a year. Started around 2 PM towards Pondy and reached home by 4 PM.









THiruvaadhirai Temple Pictures.

Summary Points:
1. If planning for Thiruvaadhirai (Aarudhra) visit to Chidambaram, better to book accommodation well in advance.
2. Krish Garden Report was good for the amount charged with satisfactory complimentary breakfast (though less varieties). Had good parking space also. Only problem was the approach road and bigger vehicles might struggle.
3. All the roads travelled were very good in condition. Toll between Chidambaram and Cuddalore is operational now but the single rate of 125\- seemed too steep though the road was very good as it was newly laid.


Note: Since I was not planning to report this trip originally , I didnot take much photos. Some of the pictures are from internet and the copyright to respective owners.