Tamil Nadu (formerly Madras State) has blended religion with its culture. Every ruler who ruled the Tamil land has contributed his flesh and blood to enhance the temples and its architecture. Even in the modern days, Tamil Nadu is the only region where still mammoth functioning temples are preserved.

Chidambaram is a town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The town is believed to be of significant antiquity and has been ruled, at different times, by the Pallavas until 9th century, Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Later Pandyas, Vijayanagar Empire, Marathas and the British. The town is known for the Thillai Nataraja Temple, and the annual chariot festival held in the months of December?January and June to July.

I visited this temple town in April during my travels in the Tamil nadu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva of the Hindu pantheon who presides over the place in his famous Cosmic Dance pose. He is also seen as a formless God in another portion of the temple. I took this shot as I approached the temple from one of the entrances in the evening.(photography is not allowed inside temples in India). The scene is typical of the temple areas in Tamil Nadu with hundreds of small vendors selling hundreds of articles required for the offerings inside the temple and also a number of souvenirs.
Camera: My Android cell phone camera 1+3T. Image slightly cropped and resized to Far requirements.
Enjoy!