Chidambaram is also known as Thillai, since the place was originally a forest of the thillai, botanically known as excecaria agallecha shrubs. It is an important pilgrim centre and a holy place for Saivites as the famous Nataraja Temple is located here.

Dedicated to Lord Nataraja, this ancient temple of the Cholas is unique not only it is devoted solely to the art of Bharatanatyam, but also it is one of the rare temples where Shiva is represented by an idol rather than the customary lingam. Spread over an area of 40 acres with a gopuram on each side, the temple is distinguished by five sabhas or courts.

The eastern gopuram is 40.8 m. high and carved on it are the 108 dance poses of Bharatanatyam. The western tower has also similar carvings while the northern tower that soars to a height of 42.4 m. is the tallest.
The idol of Nataraja is installed in the kanakasabha, the roof of which is covered with gold Plates. The icon is a stunning piece of sculpture that evokes a sense of continuous movement.

Though non-Hindus are not allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum, replicas of this idol are easily available in most handicraft emporia and shops selling art and curio objects.

A shrine to Govindaraja or Lord Vishnu lies adjacent to the main shrine and has a beautiful idol of the lord reclining on Adisesha, the serpent. There are two other shrines, one dedicated to Subramanya and the other to Ganesha. In the courtyard, a large Nandi looks on devotedly at its lord and master through an aperture on the wall.

The Thillai Kaliamman temple is an northern end of the town. It was built by Kopperunjingan who ruled between 1229 A.D and 1278 A.D.

This is renowned in Tamil literature. It is the birthplace of Thirugnana Sambandar the Tamil saint. The Saivite temple is dedicated to him, and the idol in the shrine looks like a child god. A large crowd gathers in Sirkazhi to witness the Tirumulaippal festival celebrated in April. Bus and train services are available.

Annamalai University: This is a residential university situated on the outskirts of Chidambaram. It was founded by the Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar. It is a great centre for Tamil learning and Carnatic music for many years. The university now offers educational facilities in various disciplines including Medicine, Engineering etc.

The Annamalai University near the Raja Muthiah Medical Centre built this temple for Ayyappan. It is a replica of the Ayyappan temple at Sabarimala. A small, quiet park surrounds the temple, creating a serene ambience.

This temple is situated 6 kms south of Sirkazhi. This temple is constructed on a vast area, and the legend says that the presiding deity of this temple had healed the wounds sustained by the troupes of Lord Subramanya during a battle with a rakshasa. Thus there is a popular belief that worshiping in this temple will heal the wounds of the people. Women in large numbers visit this place to dispossess themselves of devils and evil spirits and pray for their weddings to take place. Vaitheeswaran is the healer of all diseases and it is believed that a bath in the holy water of the siddhamirtham tank or holy tank that is situated with in the temple complex cures all ailments.

The dargah of Hazrat Meera Sultan Syed ShahabdulHameed who is better known as Hazrat Mian is just 4 kms to the north of Nagapattinam The tomb is almost 500 years old and is capped by a golden dome and flanked by five minarets. The tank is called peer kulam and is believed to have curative powers. People of all faiths visit the dargah.