Chidambaram : Nataraja temple is famed for the dancing Shiva. The high walled 22 hectare complex has four finely sculptured 49 m high towering gopurams. The temple has large statues of Ganesh and Nandi. The 5 pm puja is worth seeing. Ten day chariot festivals are held in Apr/May and Dec/Jan. Natyanjali dance festival is celebrated in Feb/Mar. Thillai Kali Amman temple. It is 69 km from Kumbakonam (2 hour, Rs 22).

It is the only Shiv temple in India where instead of lingam, the dancing statue of Lord Shiva in a ring of fire is revered.