CHIDAMBARAM NATARAJA TEMPLE

Chidamabaram is known for the famous Nataraja Temple dedicated to Lord Natraj(Shiva as a cosmic dancer) and is noted for its golden roof over the sanctum sanctorum.It is an important pilgrim center and a holy place for saivaites. It is also one of the five Shaivaite Mukti Sthalams. The other four being kalahasti(near Thirupathi) Kanchipuram, Thiruvannamalai and Thiruvanaikaval(Tiruchi) The temple located in the center of the town covers an area of 40 acres.

This is ancient temple of the Cholas is unique not only due to the fact that it is devoted solely to the art of Bharathanatiyam, but also it is one of the rare temples where Shiva is represented by an idol rather than the customary Lingam. The idol of Sri Natraraja is installed in the Kanaka Sabha. Though non-Hindus are not allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum. Behind Sri Nataraj, is a black screeen. which is considered to cover the Aakasa Lingam, There is no Lingam, but we are made to believe that belief that there is everthying in nothing. There are five silver plated steps to reach the Kanaka Sabha, representing the Panchakshara mantram-Na ma si va ya.

The temple is surronded by massive walls with four big tall gopurams in four directions and a big tank called Sivagangai tank measuring 175X100 feet towards the North. The North& South gopurams are 160 feet high. The 108 dance postures as seen in the Natya Sastra are sculpted in these towers. It has five principal sabhas known as Kanakasabha, Chit sabha, Nritya sabha, Deva sabha and Raja sabha. The Raja sabha measuring 103 metres by 58 metres in housed in a 1000 pillared hall in the outermost prakaram. Tradtion holds that Sekhizhar recited the Peria Puranam here. The sanctum of Sivakama Sundari lies to the left of Natarajar Sannidhi.

This is one of the few temples. Where Shiva & Vishnu are enshrined under one roof. Near the Sanctum there is a Shrine for Vishnu called Govindaraja, or Chitra or Chitracootathullan. Legand says that Siva and parvathi were dancing with abandon when the question of who was a Parvathi were dancin with abandom when the question of who was a better dancer came up. First they went to Brahama at Thiruvalankadu, but failed to give a verdict. Second they went to Vishnu at Thiruchitrakoodam. While dancing Siva as Nataraja lifted his right leg above his head. Parvathi could not do so due modesty. Since the verdict went in favour of Siva. Thus Chidambaram was also importance to Vishnu also.

Two annual Bharammotsavams are celebrated. One in the month of Margazhi, during Arudra Darisanam festival and the second in the month of Aani concluding with Aani Tirumanjanam, when the deities are taken out in procession.