| "தில்லையுள் கூத்தனே தென்பாண்டி நாட்டானே அல்லல் பிறவி அறுப்பானே" -- திருவாசகம் |
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| Sri Nataraja (Siva) and His inseparable consort Sri Sivakama Sundari (Sakthi) -- One Sivam |
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| ThiruChitrAmbalam - Thillai Pon Ambalam |
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The Chidambaram Nataraja temple at the heart of the Chidambaram town, covering an area of 40 acres, is one of the ancient temples in Tamil Nadu.
The Chidambaram temple town is about 230 kms from Chennai city on the Chennai - Tiruchirapalli main railway line.
Chidambaram is one of the holy places for Saivaites. The town was originally called Thillaivanam on account of being a forest of Thillai trees.
The Nataraja temple at the centre of the Chidambaram town, sprawling across 40 acres, is one of the ancient temples in Tamil Nadu.
It has a Gold plated roof, towering over the presiding deity Akasha Lingam.
While the four shrines at Tiruvannamalai, Kanchipuram, Kalahasthi, and Jambukeswaram (near Tiruchirapalli) have the main deities in Fire, Earth, Air and Water lingams respectively, Chidambaram is unique in that, apart from Sri Nataraja and Sri Sivakama Sundari divine idols, the viewer can also witness an unique lingam in the inner shrine, when the curtain is pulled back for Chidambaram, meaning Space (ambaram/ambalam) of Consciousness (Chid/Chit), enshrines the lingam of Space (of Consciousness).
This is the charming mystery of Chidambaram - ‘Chitambalam’, the Space of Consciousness.
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The Chidambaram Nataraja Temple has five halls - the Nritta Sabha, Deva Sabha, Kanaka Sabha, Chit Sabha and Raja Sabha.
In the Gold-tiled Kanaka Sabha, resides the bejewelled, joyous dancing (Ananda Tandava) Sri Nataraja with His witnessing beautiful, dedicated consort Sri Sivakama Sundari (beautiful form of Goddess Parvati).
The Nritta Sabha is held aloft by 56 pillars engraved with beautiful dancing figures.
In the Deva Sabha were held the festivals and meetings of the administrators.
The 1000-pillared hall of Raja Sabha, measuring 103m long and 58m wide witnessed the victory celebrations of the Chola and Pandya kings. Twice a year grand Abhishekams of Sri Nataraja and Sri Sivakama Sundari divine idols are performed here during the Tamil months of Aani and Margazhi respectively.
The original temple structure was built during the 6th-8th centuries contributed by the Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagar kings over the ages.
There are four tall gopurams and on the eastern tower, rising to 40.8 metres, are carved the 108 dance poses of Bharatanatya shastra.
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The sacred waters of the ShivaGanga Tank, thronged by bathing pilgrims, is said to have cured a king’s leprosy and to have healing powers even today.
Within the precincts of the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple complex, Goddess Parvati also gives darshan in the majestic and beautiful Sri Sivakamasundari Temple; and also pilgrims pray for progeny in the Pandya Nayakam Murugan-Valli-Devasena Temple, which leaves the visitors dazzled with its sculptural wealth and beauty.
At the northern end of the Chidambaram town is the Thillai Kali Temple, built by a Chola king in the 13th century.
Puranas say that the Goddess Kali (a fierce form of Goddess Parvati), being defeated in a dance competition by Lord Shiva in Chidambaram, rushed and stayed here in anger.
The fierce black Goddess Kali in the Thillai Kali Temple is said to have a diamond on her forehead. The air is heavy with incense and divine power. According to the priests of the temple, goats were sacrificed here till 1949.
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For additional information on Chidambaram Nataraja Temple:
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