Here is a writeup of Stalapuranam about Thiru Chitrakoodam, one among the 108 Divya Desams, written by Sri U.Ve.Vidwan Egai VedantaDesika Thatacharya Swami
Located 215 kms South of Madras at the entrance of the erstwhile Chola kingdom is Thiru Chitrakoodam temple in Chidambaram. In years gone by, the direction to Thiru Chitrakoodam was given as North of the Cauvery, East of Sri Mushnam ( Aathi Varaahan temple) and West of the Bay of Bengal. This place is also referred to as Thillai Nagar, Chitrakoodam and Pundarika Puram.
Thirumangai Azhvaar has praised, in his Paasurams, Nandivarma Pallava’s contribution to this temple.
“பையின் பொன்னும் முத்தும் மணியும் கொணர்ந்து
படைமன்வைன் பல்லவர் கோன் பணிந்து
செம்பொன் மணி மாடங்கள் சூழ்ந்து
தில்லைத் திரு சித்ரா கூடம் சென்று சேர் மின்களே ”
Paraanthaka Chozha is also said to have contributed to this temple in the 10th Century AD.
Listening to Kulasekara Azhvaar’s praise of the Chitrakoodam Lord is equivalent to listening to the entire Ramayana. Natha Muni’s avathara sthalam Kattu Mannar koil is nearby from this place.
Festivals
Vasantha Utsavam
Aadi Pooram
Panguni Uthiram
Chitra Pournami
Jestaabhishekam
Moolavar : Govinda Rajan East facing Bhoga Sayanam
Goddess : Pundarikavalli
Utsavar : Devaathi Devan, Paarthasarathy, Chitrakoodathullan
Azhvaar : 32 Paasurams- Kulasekhara Azhvaar and Thiru Mangai Azhvaar
Timing : 6am –12noon and 4pm-9pm
Contact : 04144 220425
How to reach Chidambaram
By car, one can reach Chidambaram in under 4 hours from Madras via East Coast Road. Buses every 15 minutes from Madras via Tindivanam, Cuddalore – one can reach in about 5 1/2 hours. Daily trains from Chennai Egmore to Chidambaram including a day express.
