Chidambaram Nataraja Temple

 

Our family went to Chennai for my brother in law’s Shastiyapthapoorthi function. After the function, we planned for a weekend trip to Chidambaram temple, Pichavaram mangrove forest and Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

Chidambaram Nataraja Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the town of Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. The Chidambaram Nataraja statue is of Lord Shiva and is also known as Thillai Nataraja Temple. It is one of the five holiest Shiva temples, each representing one of the five natural elements. The temple represents the element of space (Aakash/ sky) among the five-element temples, “Panchmahabhoota Sthalams. 

 

The magnificent Nataraja Temple is an architectural marvel and a must visit place. The temple is living proof of ancient techniques that were far advanced in astrological, architectural, and geological knowledge. 

 

Chidambaram was the capital of Cholas around 10th CE, before moving to Thanjavur, and Nataraja their Kul Devta. The thousand pillar choultry, with friezes narrating Hindu texts, was built in the late 12th century Between the second half of the 12th century and the early 13th century However, material evidence exists from the 12th CE onwards. Various dynasties of the South Indian rulers like Pallavas, Pandyas, Cholas, Cheras, and Vijaynagara Kings have contributed to the expansion and maintenance of this temple during their respective periods. You can find imprints of them in various parts of the temple.

 

 We reached the main entry gate which opened into a huge campus. There were sculptures all around on the walls and I started my walk around the complex, appreciating the minute details of the fine carvings. When we went for Darshan first time, the main temple sanctum which is located in the center of the elevated Mandapam.

We saw some were inside the main sanctum whereas other like us standing outside in the passage between Mandapas. We saw Lord Nataraja from far in the crowd. The idol at Chidambaram Nataraja Temple is that of Lord Shiva in a dance pose.

 

Once you enter from the East Gate, you would find the grand thousand pillar hall on your right side. The hall is said to have 999 pillars and the 1000th pillar is formed by one of the dance poses of Shiva when he lifts his left leg to show his performing skills.

History of Chidambaram Nataraja Temple

The temple was constructed during the 10th Century when Chidambaram used to be the capital of the Chola dynasty. The Cholas considered Lord Shiva as their family deity. The Nataraj temple has undergone damage, renovation, and expansion for many years. The present structure of the temple has its roots in the 12th and 13th centuries AD.

The word Chidambaram is derived from two words ‘Chit’ meaning ‘consciousness’ and ‘ambaram’ meaning ‘sky’. The word can be translated into the sky of consciousness, which is the ultimate state one should attain in the mortal world. Another theory is that it is derived from chit + ambalam. Ambalam means a “stage” for performing arts.

Architecture of Chidambaram Nataraja Temple

The temple complex of Chidambaram Nataraja Temple sprawls over an area of 45 acres. This is one of the rare temples where Lord Shiva is represented by an idol rather than the customary lingam. 

 

The architecture of the temple represents the link between arts and spirituality. Although Shiva is the main deity of the temple, it also represents major themes from Vaishnavism, Shaktism, and others with all due reverence.

 

The Nataraja Temple is known for its attractive gopurams, carvings, five mandapams, and inscriptions. The four tall gopurams are decorated with 108 carved dance postures of Natya Shastra. There are five main principle sabhas in this temple, which are known as Chit Sabha, Kanaka Sabha, Deva Sabha, Nritya Sabha, and Raja Sabha.

 

The golden roof of the temple is studded with 21,600 gold tiles inscribed with the auspicious mantra of ” Namah Sivay” and these tiles are fixed with 72,000 gold nails. The nine Kalasha or holy pots representing the nine energies can be seen in the picture.

The shrine is truly an architectural marvel in which each part signifies the parts of the human body. The shrine itself is located in the central position, symbolic of a heart. The Mandap is gold plated with small plates carved with the auspicious mantra of “Shivay Namah” on each of them. Following is the significance of each part of the shrine:  The five steps signify the five elements as well as the five indestructible syllables of the mantra “ si va ya Na mah”.

 

   The form of Shiva as a Cosmic Dancer performing the “Anand Tandav” or the dance of bliss. There is a small idol of Natraj made of ruby which is worshipped in the Mahapuja conducted at 10:30 every day. It is also called the Ratna-Sabha, as the Ruby idol glows when the flame is put exactly behind the idol. The semi-form of Shiva i.e. the crystal/Spatiga Linga is worshiped 6 times in a day. The Abhishek is done with water, milk, curd, honey, flowers, and ashes.In order to witness these Abhishekas, you should be standing on the extreme left side of the temple.

We rarely come across a temple where the presiding deities are both lord Vishnu and lord Shiva and the temple worship is done according to Vaishnava tradition as well as Shaivite tradition. Sri. Govindaraja Perumal temple has the unique distinction of being located on the world famous Chidambaram Nataraja (lord Shiva) temple complex very close to the main shrine Kanaga Sabai.

This shrine is s one of the 108 holy temples of Lord Vishnu called Divyadesam - Vaishnava canon, revered by the 7th-9th-century Govindaraja Perumal  is believed to have descended for sage Kanvar and the 3,000 Dikshidars of the Thillai Natarajar temple. Here Vishnu is in Bhooga sayanam (dozing stance) facing lord Nataraja .

Chidambaram is a divine temple, one must visit this place and experience the divine power of the Lord Nataraja. Chidambaram temple secret deals with both cosmic science and spirituality, explaining cosmic science in Nataraja Swamy form located on the center of Earth’s magnetic field and also explains spirituality realizing atman in the form of Akasha Linga.  The secret of Chidambaram Temple is another interesting fact to know about Hinduism which is famous for its idol worships. Above all, the logic and the myth behind each of the architectures will leave you completely awestruck.

Thillai Kali Temple   

 ( This pic credit- google image)

After visiting Nataraj Temple visited this temple with family.This Temple is on the outskirts of the city of Chidambaram. Legend says that Goddess Kaali Devi moved here after losing to Lord Siva in the celestial dance contest.Parvathi after loosing dance competition with shiva came to this temple with anger and cooled down. Kali with anger and Amman with cool with four faces. Place is very divine and powerful. We got the opportunity to see ennai abhishekam and of offering Kumkum prasadam.Feel blessed.

It was built by Chola King Kopperunjingan who ruled between 1229 and 1278

Time closes between 12 noon to 4 pm.