Chidambaram
Chidambaram - Sri Thillai Natarajar Temple
Chidambaram Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the
heart of the temple town of Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.
Chidambaram is one of the five holiest Shiva temples, each
representing one of the five natural elements; Chidambaram represents akasha
(aether). The other four temples in this category are: Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara,
Trichy (water), Kanchi Ekambareswara (earth)Kanchipuram, Thiruvannamalai
Arunachaleswara (fire),Thiruvanna malai and Kalahasti Nathar (wind),Kalahasti.
The temple complex spread over 50 acres in the heart of the
city. It is an ancient and historic temple dedicated to Lord Shiva Nataraja and
Lord Govindaraja Perumal, one of the few temples where both the Shaivite and
Vaishnavite deities are enshrined in one place. To the followers of Shaivism
(Saivism) or the saivaite, the very word koil refers to Chidambaram. In the
same way, to the followers of Vaishnavism it refers to Srirangam or
Thiruvarangam.
Meaning of Chidambaram : The word Chidambaram may be derived
from chit, meaning "consciousness", and ambaram, meaning
"sky" (from aakasam or aakayam); it refers to the chidaakasam, the
sky of consciousness, which is the ultimate aim one should attain according to
all the Vedas and scriptures. Another theory is that it is derived from chit +
ambalam. Ambalam means a "stage" for performing arts. The chidakasam
is the state of supreme bliss or aananda and Lord Natarajar is the symbolic
representation of the supreme bliss or Aananda natanam. Saivaites believe that
a visit to Chidambaram leads to liberation. Yet another theory is that it is
derived from the word chitrambalam, from chithu meaning "play or dances of
God" and ambalam meaning "stage".
Special features : A unique feature of this temple is the bejewelled
image of Nataraja. It depicts the Lord Shiva as the Lord of the dance
Bharatanatyam and is one of the few temples where Shiva is represented by an
anthropomorphic murthi rather than the classic, anionic Lingam. The Cosmic
Dance of Lord Nataraja symbolises the motion of the universe as sustained by
Lord Shiva. The temple has five courts. Aragalur Udaya Iraratevan Ponparappinan
(alias Vanakovaraiyan) rebuilt the Siva temple at Chidambaram around 1213 AD.
The same Bana Chief also built Tiruvannamalai temple. The temple has been
traditionally administered by an endogamous group of shiavite brahmins called
Dikshitar, who also officiate as its priest. There have been several
renovations in its history, particularly during the days of Pallava/Chola
emperors in ancient and pre-medieval periods.
Significance of the temple:
v The temple has the pride of
being sung by the Great Four Saivites, Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and
Manickavasagar.
v This is the 1st Shiva temple
on the northern bank of Cauvery river praised in Thevaram hymns (Paadal
Petra Sthalam).
v It is one of the shrines of
the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams - Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval
Tevaram poems.
v One of the Pancha Bootha
Sthalangal - Here Lord Shiva represents the element of space.
v One of the Pancha Sabha
Temples.
v One of the 108 Divya Desam
Shrines of Lord Vishnu (Govindaraja Perumal) is located inside the Natarajar
Temple at Chidambaram.
v The Word 'Kovil' always refers
to Chidambaram.
v The chidambaram 1000 pillar mandapam
(Raja Sabha) in the north-east of the outer corridor of this temple is an
important piece of an architecture .
v This sivasthalam is said to
have given 'moksha' (liberation) to infinite devotees - notable amongst them
are Nandanar, Tirunilakandanayanar, Vyagrapada Munivar and Patanjali Munivar.
Chidambaram - Sri Thillai Natarajar
Temple
சிதம்பரம் தில்லை - நடராஜர் திà®°ுக்கோயில்
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Main Deity
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Lord Shiva
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Name
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Sri Natarajar - Thillai
Koothan, Chidambaram Adalarasan
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Goddess Name
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Sri Sivagami
Ambal
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Location
Ancient Names
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Chidambaram
Koothan Kovil, Tillai
Vanam, Thillai
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Temple Tank
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Sivaganga
Theertham
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Significance
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1st Paadal Petra Sthalam
in North of cauvery region,
One of 275 Devaram Padal
Petram Sthalams,
One of the 108 Divya
Desam
One of the Pancha Bootha
Sthalangal,
One of the Pancha Sabha
Temples,
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Ancient
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1500
years old
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Travel Base
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Chidambaram
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How To Reach : The Natrajar
temple, 78 km south of Pondicherry and 235 Km from Chennai, the capital of
Tamil Nadu state of south eastern India. Frequent bus facilities available form
all major towns.
Thillai
Kali Temple is a Hindu Temple located on the outskirts of the town of
Chidambaram, Cuddalore District Tamil Nadu in India. It was built by Chola King
Kopperunjingan who ruled between 1229 and 1278. This Temple is on the outskirts
of the city of Chidhambaram. Legend says that Lord Kaali moved here after
losing to Lord Siva in the celestial dance contest.
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