CHIDAMBARAM, TAMIL NADU, INDIA, January 7, 2004: While thousands lost their lives in the Cuddalore coast to Tsunami, close to 4,000 fishermen belonging to some 20 villages like Killai, Pichavaram, Kavarapattu neighboring the Chidambaram region escaped. They had left their villages to attend the annual ritual of “Ardra Darshan” at the world famous Siva Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram. As has been their practice for generations, they were involved in the pulling of the Mandir Car. When they returned to their villages post tsunami, they found their entire villages ravaged beyond recognition. Sri Srinivasakumar, a member of the fishermen community, told us that they were saved because of the grace of Siva Nataraja. He stated that inside the Chidambaram Mandir, they did not find any impact at all. He concluded “All of us owe our lives to Him”.
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