Chidambaram Temple Of the numerous temples that line the southern state of Tamilnadu, the Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram is one of the most significant ones. In terms of its antiquity, richness in terms of worship & festival traditions, in architectural & sculptural splendor, in its association with music & dance, Chidambaram is a center second to none in representing the rich cultural heritage of India.
Several rich legends are associated with Chidambaram. The best known, are those describing the Cosmic Dance of Shiva, the dance duel between Shiva and Kaali and the more recent one describing the re-discovery of the Tevaram hymns.
The Cosmic Dance of Shiva : Legend has it that Aadi Seshan, the serpent (couch) of Vishnu, heard Vishnu's exhilarating description of Shiva's Dance of Bliss. Filled with irrepressible desire to witness this dance in person at Chidambaram, Seshan descended to the earth as Patanjali (the one who descended). Vyagrapaadar, another devotee of Shiva prayed to obtain the tiger's claws so that he could obtain with ease the sacred Vilva leaves meant for Shiva's worship at Chidambaram. The two sages spent their time in prayer and meditation - in anticipation of Shiva's Ananda Tandavam.
Chidambaram Natarajar Temple History
The origins of this vast temple are buried in antiquity. Literature talks of a tradition of Shiva (Nataraja) worship in existence even as early as the Sangam period and the Tamil Saints have sung its fame when an established worship tradition was in place. The later Chola Kings (Aditya I and Parantaka I) adorned the roof of the shrine with gold, and the other Chola Kings treated Nataraja as their guardian deity and made several endowments to the temple. There is a stone image of Krishnadevaraya in the North Gopuram which the king is said to have erected. In the wars of the 18th century, this temple was used as a fort, especially when the British General Sir Eyre Coote unsuccessfully tried to capture it from the Mysore Kings. During this period, the images of Nagaraja and Sivakamasundari were housed in the Tiruvarur Thyagaraja temple for safety.
Muthuswamy Dikshitar, one of the foremost composers in the Carnatic Music tradition sings the glory of this temple in his kriti ‘Ananda Natana Prakasam’. The Alwar Poems of the Naalayira Divya Prabandam sing the glory of Vishnu, whose image is also housed in this temple, and his shrine is referred to a ‘Tiruchitrakootam’. Adi Sankara is said to have presented a Spatika Lingam which is still under worship in this temple. Sekkizhaar’s Periya Puranam, describing poetically the life of the Saivite Saints (63 in number) was composed in the 1000 pillared hall, and was expounded by the author himself in the presence of the Chola emperor Kulottunga II who had commissioned the work, amidst great festivity.
Each of the four most revered Saivite Saints (Appar, Sundarar, Sambanbdar and Manikkavasakar) has worshipped at Chidambaram, and the bulk of Manikkavasakar’s work is in praise of Shiva at Chidambaram. Accordingly, their images are placed in the temple entrances corresponding to their points of entry into the temple. Sambandar in the South, Appar in the west, Sundarar in the north and Manikkavasakar in the east.
Some of the legends associated with this temple include Adi Sesha, the serpent (couch) of Vishnu, heard from Vishnu the grandeur of Shiva’s cosmic dance. Filled with an ardent desire to witness this dance in person at Chidambaram, Seshan descended to the earth as Patanjali (the one who descended). Vyagrapaadar, another devotee of Shiva prayed to obtain the tiger’s claws so that he could obtain with ease the sacred Vilva leaves meant for Shiva’s worship at Chidambaram. At the appointed time, Shiva (with Sivakami) granted to Patanjali and Vyagrapaadar, a visual treat in the form of his Cosmic Dance of Bliss, to the accompaniments of music played by several divine personalities in the Hindu pantheon. This Dance of Bliss is said to have been witnessed by Vishnu, and there is a Govindaraja shrine in the Natarajar temple commemorating this.
Yet another legend, commemorating the dance duel between the doyens of dance Shiva and Kali is associated with Chidambaram. Shiva is said to have lifted his left foot towards the sky in the Urdhuva Tandava posture, a definite male gesture, which out of a adherence to protocol, Kaali could not reciprocate, thereby causing Shiva to emerge victorious, delegating Kaali to the status of a primary deity in another temple in the outskirts of Chidambaram. This legend is portrayed in the Nritta Sabha, one of the halls within the Chidambaram temple.
There is another recent legend which is also associated with this temple. The sacred Tamil works of the Nayanmaars had been missing for several years, and it was during the period of Raja Raja Chola (the builder of the Grand temple at Thanjavur) that formal research was initiated to trace these fine works of devotional literature. These works of the Saivate Saints rich in musical content were recovered in a dilapidated state in one of the chambers in this vast temple, after the monarch brought images of th Saint trinity in procession to the temple.
Festivals in the temple
Arudhra Darshan in December – janyary
Aani Thirumanjanam in June
10-day pangui Uthiram festival in March – April
Nayanjali Festival
It is jointly organized by the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Tamilnadu, The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Natyanjali Trust in Chidambaram. It is generally held in February and opens on the Maha Sivarthri Day. Prominent dancer’s f India performs their dance and offers it to the comic dancer Nataraja in the vicinity of his sanctum sanctorum. It is a unique tourist attraction and all the dances of India, both classical and modern, are performed.
Get in
Chidambaram city is located on the Karaikal-Cuddalore-Chennai highway and frequent buses are available from most major cities in Tamil Nadu. Chidambaram is connected to other parts of Tamil Nadu through a very good rail and road network., You can also reach Chidambaram Via Pondicherry(40km) or even via Trichy(160km) By Rail : Chidambaram is located on the Madras-Tiruchirapalli main line of the Southern Railway. It is connected with Tiruchirapalli, Madras, Madurai (335 km), Rameshwaram (575 km), Bangalore (340 km), and Tirupati (290 km). National Highway NH-45A (the Villupuram-Puducherry-Cuddalore-Chidambaram-Nagapattinam Highway) passes through Chidambaram.
Thillai Kali Temple
Kali was the original Goddess of Thillai Vanam i.e. Chidambaram. Lord Shiva had to perform Urdhuva Thandava by raising one of His legs up, to subdue her in a dance competition. Hence she has to leave the place offering it to Nataraja. So, her temple is located in the northern outskirts about 1.6 km from the shrine of Sri Nataraja.
Sri Mushnam
It is located northwest of Chidambaram. There is a big Vishnu temple of Bhuvarahaswamy (incarnation of Vishnu as a boar) here. It is one of the eight Swayam Vyaktakashethra (Spontaneous manifestation without being installed by anyone) in the south.
Melakadambur
It is located west of Chidambaram. The temple here is of the Pala art. Pala dynasty ruled over Bengal and produced masterpieces of art of a unique style. The Nataraja found in this temple dances on a bull and the idol belongs to Pala art.
Sirkazhi
Another Siva Shrine 20 km from Chidambaram. It is the birthplace of one of the top 4 Saivaite saints named Thirugnana Sambandar and the legend proclaims that Goddess Parvathi breastfed the child Gnanasambandar as the was crying in the tank bund. The tank is inside the temple and is known as ‘Mulaippal Thirtham’ (Breast Milk Holy Water). During the month of April, a festival in memory of this legend is celebrated here. The temple is a Madakkoil – a structure with a storey attached.
Thiruvenkadu (Swetharanyam)
It is 28 km from Chidambaram. The temple is dedicated to Agora Virabadra – a fierce aspect of Siva. An image of Bhikshadanamurthi (Mendicant Siva) unearthed here is an early Chola bronze casting of Lord Siva as a nude mendicant with writhing cobra clinging on his thighs. The image is now in safe custody in the Thanjavur Art Gallery. This is also the abode of Budha (Mercury) one of the Navagrahas (nine planets).
Ulagalanda Perumal Temple
It is one of the 108 Divya desam. It is located on the Mayiladuthurai – Chennai state highway in Sirkazhi town.
Vaitheeswaran Koil
Down south of Chidambaram is located this temple of Lord Siva. The presiding deity is called Vaitheeswara-Lord of Healing. There is a tank inside the temple free from frogs called siddha Amritha Theertha – a sacred pool reputed to contain nectar which has curative powers. Another name for this place is Pullirukku Velur. The sculptures are very wonderful here. It is the place of one of the Navagrahas – Angarahan (Mars).
Tirupunkur
It is the place where Lord Siva’s mount Nandhi moved a little away from obstructing the Darshan of Lord Siva to Nandanar, the harijan devotee.
Vazhuvur
This place on the southern side of Mayavaram is about bronze images of exquisite splendor. The Lord of this temple is called Krithivasa, one who wears the elephant skin. This is one of the eight place were Siva danced to destroy demons. The dance hall is called Gnana Sabai – Hall of Wisdom. Behind Gajasamharamurthi idol is a bronze image of the 11th century and is also the only one of its kind – a fusion of grace and vigour. The Bikshadana or Siva as mendicant is another marvel in bronze. He holds the Damaru (Hand-drum) in one hand, the Kapala in the other and is seen feeding a deer with His fingers with flowing locks of hair on which are perched the Crescent and the Ganges and the coy Uma with Skanda cuddled in her arms makes the onlooker spellbound.
Perambur
14 km away from Mayilduthurai is a Subramania temple. Though small, the image is of granite and beautifully carved with 6 faces in the pose of Samharamurthi. Snakes abound this place, but no one has so far been bitten. The snakes just hiss at those who enter the Iluppai garden stealthily to pilfer.
Virddhachalam
The Vriddhagiriswarar temple with high enclosing walls and four tall gopurams is a big shrine. The mandapam here is carved like a chariot with wheels and horses. 24 delicately carved pillars with Yalis support the roof. The chains of the temple car were donated by Charles Hyde, the Collector during 1813.
Vadalur
Ramalinga Swamigal popularly called Vallalar had established Satyagnana Sabai. He sung thousands of songs called ‘Thiru Arutppa’. The ‘Thai Poosam’ Function in December-January is an important festival of this place.
Tiruppanaiyur
3.5 km from Nannilam, the temple has palmyra tree as the sacred tree. It is said the great Chola king Karikala, standing under a palmyra tree, was pickedup by the royal elephant and taken to the palace to be crowned as king. Hence, it has become the sacred tree and the place also got the name Thiruppanaiyur (panai-palmyra).
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
It lies 50 km away from Chidambaram. The Chola emperor Rajendra (1012-1044) built this temple dedicated to Siva with an imposing gopuram that can be seen miles around. It is a replica of the Brihadeeswarar temple at Thanjavur built by his father. There are many Beautiful sculptures on the walls of the temple and its enclosures. It was built in commemoration of his victory over the kingdom abutting the Ganges. The waters of Ganges were brought in huge vessels by vassal kings and emptied into a huge tank more or less a lake named Cholagangam which literally means the Ganges of the Cholas. A big nandhi in front of the temple made of brick and mortar, a lion-faced well with yawning mouth through which a flight of steps lead to the water beneath and gigantic dwarapalakas (gate-keepers) are the other thrilling features of this temple.
Several rich legends are associated with Chidambaram. The best known, are those describing the Cosmic Dance of Shiva, the dance duel between Shiva and Kaali and the more recent one describing the re-discovery of the Tevaram hymns.
The Cosmic Dance of Shiva : Legend has it that Aadi Seshan, the serpent (couch) of Vishnu, heard Vishnu's exhilarating description of Shiva's Dance of Bliss. Filled with irrepressible desire to witness this dance in person at Chidambaram, Seshan descended to the earth as Patanjali (the one who descended). Vyagrapaadar, another devotee of Shiva prayed to obtain the tiger's claws so that he could obtain with ease the sacred Vilva leaves meant for Shiva's worship at Chidambaram. The two sages spent their time in prayer and meditation - in anticipation of Shiva's Ananda Tandavam.
Chidambaram Natarajar Temple History
The origins of this vast temple are buried in antiquity. Literature talks of a tradition of Shiva (Nataraja) worship in existence even as early as the Sangam period and the Tamil Saints have sung its fame when an established worship tradition was in place. The later Chola Kings (Aditya I and Parantaka I) adorned the roof of the shrine with gold, and the other Chola Kings treated Nataraja as their guardian deity and made several endowments to the temple. There is a stone image of Krishnadevaraya in the North Gopuram which the king is said to have erected. In the wars of the 18th century, this temple was used as a fort, especially when the British General Sir Eyre Coote unsuccessfully tried to capture it from the Mysore Kings. During this period, the images of Nagaraja and Sivakamasundari were housed in the Tiruvarur Thyagaraja temple for safety.
Muthuswamy Dikshitar, one of the foremost composers in the Carnatic Music tradition sings the glory of this temple in his kriti ‘Ananda Natana Prakasam’. The Alwar Poems of the Naalayira Divya Prabandam sing the glory of Vishnu, whose image is also housed in this temple, and his shrine is referred to a ‘Tiruchitrakootam’. Adi Sankara is said to have presented a Spatika Lingam which is still under worship in this temple. Sekkizhaar’s Periya Puranam, describing poetically the life of the Saivite Saints (63 in number) was composed in the 1000 pillared hall, and was expounded by the author himself in the presence of the Chola emperor Kulottunga II who had commissioned the work, amidst great festivity.
Each of the four most revered Saivite Saints (Appar, Sundarar, Sambanbdar and Manikkavasakar) has worshipped at Chidambaram, and the bulk of Manikkavasakar’s work is in praise of Shiva at Chidambaram. Accordingly, their images are placed in the temple entrances corresponding to their points of entry into the temple. Sambandar in the South, Appar in the west, Sundarar in the north and Manikkavasakar in the east.
Some of the legends associated with this temple include Adi Sesha, the serpent (couch) of Vishnu, heard from Vishnu the grandeur of Shiva’s cosmic dance. Filled with an ardent desire to witness this dance in person at Chidambaram, Seshan descended to the earth as Patanjali (the one who descended). Vyagrapaadar, another devotee of Shiva prayed to obtain the tiger’s claws so that he could obtain with ease the sacred Vilva leaves meant for Shiva’s worship at Chidambaram. At the appointed time, Shiva (with Sivakami) granted to Patanjali and Vyagrapaadar, a visual treat in the form of his Cosmic Dance of Bliss, to the accompaniments of music played by several divine personalities in the Hindu pantheon. This Dance of Bliss is said to have been witnessed by Vishnu, and there is a Govindaraja shrine in the Natarajar temple commemorating this.
Yet another legend, commemorating the dance duel between the doyens of dance Shiva and Kali is associated with Chidambaram. Shiva is said to have lifted his left foot towards the sky in the Urdhuva Tandava posture, a definite male gesture, which out of a adherence to protocol, Kaali could not reciprocate, thereby causing Shiva to emerge victorious, delegating Kaali to the status of a primary deity in another temple in the outskirts of Chidambaram. This legend is portrayed in the Nritta Sabha, one of the halls within the Chidambaram temple.
There is another recent legend which is also associated with this temple. The sacred Tamil works of the Nayanmaars had been missing for several years, and it was during the period of Raja Raja Chola (the builder of the Grand temple at Thanjavur) that formal research was initiated to trace these fine works of devotional literature. These works of the Saivate Saints rich in musical content were recovered in a dilapidated state in one of the chambers in this vast temple, after the monarch brought images of th Saint trinity in procession to the temple.
Festivals in the temple
Arudhra Darshan in December – janyary
Aani Thirumanjanam in June
10-day pangui Uthiram festival in March – April
Nayanjali Festival
It is jointly organized by the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Tamilnadu, The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Natyanjali Trust in Chidambaram. It is generally held in February and opens on the Maha Sivarthri Day. Prominent dancer’s f India performs their dance and offers it to the comic dancer Nataraja in the vicinity of his sanctum sanctorum. It is a unique tourist attraction and all the dances of India, both classical and modern, are performed.
Get in
Chidambaram city is located on the Karaikal-Cuddalore-Chennai highway and frequent buses are available from most major cities in Tamil Nadu. Chidambaram is connected to other parts of Tamil Nadu through a very good rail and road network., You can also reach Chidambaram Via Pondicherry(40km) or even via Trichy(160km) By Rail : Chidambaram is located on the Madras-Tiruchirapalli main line of the Southern Railway. It is connected with Tiruchirapalli, Madras, Madurai (335 km), Rameshwaram (575 km), Bangalore (340 km), and Tirupati (290 km). National Highway NH-45A (the Villupuram-Puducherry-Cuddalore-Chidambaram-Nagapattinam Highway) passes through Chidambaram.
In and Around Chidambaram
Thillai Kali Temple
Kali was the original Goddess of Thillai Vanam i.e. Chidambaram. Lord Shiva had to perform Urdhuva Thandava by raising one of His legs up, to subdue her in a dance competition. Hence she has to leave the place offering it to Nataraja. So, her temple is located in the northern outskirts about 1.6 km from the shrine of Sri Nataraja.
Sri Mushnam
It is located northwest of Chidambaram. There is a big Vishnu temple of Bhuvarahaswamy (incarnation of Vishnu as a boar) here. It is one of the eight Swayam Vyaktakashethra (Spontaneous manifestation without being installed by anyone) in the south.
Melakadambur
It is located west of Chidambaram. The temple here is of the Pala art. Pala dynasty ruled over Bengal and produced masterpieces of art of a unique style. The Nataraja found in this temple dances on a bull and the idol belongs to Pala art.
Sirkazhi
Another Siva Shrine 20 km from Chidambaram. It is the birthplace of one of the top 4 Saivaite saints named Thirugnana Sambandar and the legend proclaims that Goddess Parvathi breastfed the child Gnanasambandar as the was crying in the tank bund. The tank is inside the temple and is known as ‘Mulaippal Thirtham’ (Breast Milk Holy Water). During the month of April, a festival in memory of this legend is celebrated here. The temple is a Madakkoil – a structure with a storey attached.
Thiruvenkadu (Swetharanyam)
It is 28 km from Chidambaram. The temple is dedicated to Agora Virabadra – a fierce aspect of Siva. An image of Bhikshadanamurthi (Mendicant Siva) unearthed here is an early Chola bronze casting of Lord Siva as a nude mendicant with writhing cobra clinging on his thighs. The image is now in safe custody in the Thanjavur Art Gallery. This is also the abode of Budha (Mercury) one of the Navagrahas (nine planets).
Ulagalanda Perumal Temple
It is one of the 108 Divya desam. It is located on the Mayiladuthurai – Chennai state highway in Sirkazhi town.
Vaitheeswaran Koil
Down south of Chidambaram is located this temple of Lord Siva. The presiding deity is called Vaitheeswara-Lord of Healing. There is a tank inside the temple free from frogs called siddha Amritha Theertha – a sacred pool reputed to contain nectar which has curative powers. Another name for this place is Pullirukku Velur. The sculptures are very wonderful here. It is the place of one of the Navagrahas – Angarahan (Mars).
Tirupunkur
It is the place where Lord Siva’s mount Nandhi moved a little away from obstructing the Darshan of Lord Siva to Nandanar, the harijan devotee.
Vazhuvur
This place on the southern side of Mayavaram is about bronze images of exquisite splendor. The Lord of this temple is called Krithivasa, one who wears the elephant skin. This is one of the eight place were Siva danced to destroy demons. The dance hall is called Gnana Sabai – Hall of Wisdom. Behind Gajasamharamurthi idol is a bronze image of the 11th century and is also the only one of its kind – a fusion of grace and vigour. The Bikshadana or Siva as mendicant is another marvel in bronze. He holds the Damaru (Hand-drum) in one hand, the Kapala in the other and is seen feeding a deer with His fingers with flowing locks of hair on which are perched the Crescent and the Ganges and the coy Uma with Skanda cuddled in her arms makes the onlooker spellbound.
Perambur
14 km away from Mayilduthurai is a Subramania temple. Though small, the image is of granite and beautifully carved with 6 faces in the pose of Samharamurthi. Snakes abound this place, but no one has so far been bitten. The snakes just hiss at those who enter the Iluppai garden stealthily to pilfer.
Virddhachalam
The Vriddhagiriswarar temple with high enclosing walls and four tall gopurams is a big shrine. The mandapam here is carved like a chariot with wheels and horses. 24 delicately carved pillars with Yalis support the roof. The chains of the temple car were donated by Charles Hyde, the Collector during 1813.
Vadalur
Ramalinga Swamigal popularly called Vallalar had established Satyagnana Sabai. He sung thousands of songs called ‘Thiru Arutppa’. The ‘Thai Poosam’ Function in December-January is an important festival of this place.
Tiruppanaiyur
3.5 km from Nannilam, the temple has palmyra tree as the sacred tree. It is said the great Chola king Karikala, standing under a palmyra tree, was pickedup by the royal elephant and taken to the palace to be crowned as king. Hence, it has become the sacred tree and the place also got the name Thiruppanaiyur (panai-palmyra).
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
It lies 50 km away from Chidambaram. The Chola emperor Rajendra (1012-1044) built this temple dedicated to Siva with an imposing gopuram that can be seen miles around. It is a replica of the Brihadeeswarar temple at Thanjavur built by his father. There are many Beautiful sculptures on the walls of the temple and its enclosures. It was built in commemoration of his victory over the kingdom abutting the Ganges. The waters of Ganges were brought in huge vessels by vassal kings and emptied into a huge tank more or less a lake named Cholagangam which literally means the Ganges of the Cholas. A big nandhi in front of the temple made of brick and mortar, a lion-faced well with yawning mouth through which a flight of steps lead to the water beneath and gigantic dwarapalakas (gate-keepers) are the other thrilling features of this temple.
Access and Accomodation: The temple town of Chidambaram is home to the Annamalai University, and it has several modern lodging facilities. The Tamilnadu Tourist Development Corporation operates one of its hotels at Chidambaram. Chidambaram is on the Chennai Tiruchirappalli Main line, between Villuppuram and Thanjavur. It is well connected with Chennai by a host of train and bus services. By road it is only 235 kilometers South of Chennai. Thanjavur is only about 100 kilometers away from Chidambaram. Chidambaram is literally the Northern gateway to the temple trough of Tamilnadu - the Thanjavur - Tiruvarur - Nagapattinam districts featuring hundreds and hundreds of ancient temples, which can be easily accessed from the towns of Mayiladuturai, Kumbhakonam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam.
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