The Temple :
The temple occupies an area of about 51 acres. Four imposing towers rise on the four sides of the temple. Each of these towers rises to about 135 ft and are comprised of 7 storeys and are topped with 13 copper 'Kalasam' (finials). The entrances at the base of these towers are quite large rising at least to a height of 40 ft. The outer perimeter wall is about 30 ft high enclosing the outer 'street' (veedhi) and the inner enclosures (praharam).
The shrines of Mukkuruni Vinayagar, Katpaga Vinayagar, Subramanya, Somasundarar, Sivakamasundary and Pandyanayagar are all built along this outer 'street'. The sacred tank 'Sivaganga' and the thousand-pillared mandapam - 'Raja Sabah' - are also situated along this 'street'. The second 'praharam' (enclosure) is connected to the outer 'veedhi' by two entrances, one on the west and the other on the east.
On entering the second praharam you can see the shrine of Kalasamhara moorthy, Oorthavathandava moorthy, Luxmi and Thandayuthapani. The Flagstaff can be seen on the southern section and the 'Nrithya sabah' houses the idol of Oorthavathandava moorthy. The shrine of 'Pollapillaiyar and the shrines for the four 'Nayanmars' Appar, Sundarar, Sambanthar and Manikkavasagar are seen here. The 'Deva Sabah' is also situated along this corridor
At the entrance to the inner enclosure the golden roof of 'Chittambalam' comes into view. It is in this 'manadapam' that Lord Nadarajah performs his dance (the Anandathandavam) eternally. The Chitsabah and the Kanakasabah are linked together and are called 'Ponnambalam'. This is also called as 'Chittambalam' and 'Gnanasabah'. There isa small entrance to the right of theDancing Siva
('Nadarajah'). During 'pooja' the curtain hung at the entrance is drawn aside and 'araathi' is shown.
There are no images inside but only a garland of golden 'vilva' leaves is seen. This represents the 'Chidambara Rahasyam' representing the Lord in the form of space. Chidambaram thus represents one of the five elements (ether) and is called 'Aakasa sthalam'.As you stand in front of the 'Chitsabah' at the entrance to the inner circuit you can see the South facing Nadarajah and the East facing Govidaraja Perumal (Vishnu). There is no other temple in the south where you can see both the Saivite god Shiva and the Vaishnavite god Vishnu from the same spot.
Legends :
Rishi Madyandinar had a son. He, under the direction of his father, came to the forest of Thillai and worshipped the 'Lingam', which had appeared there. He usually got up early before daybreak to collect flowers with which to perform his pooja. One morning he could not collect the flowers early as it was dark and cloudy and he could not see the flowers. After daybreak he went to collect the flowers and found that the flowers had been polluted by the bees and was grief stricken. Lord Shiva on seeing his devotee grief stricken took pity on him and gave him the eyes and limbs of a tiger so that he could see in the dark and climb trees easily to collect the flowers.
Thus he came to be known as 'Vyagrapadar' and the forest
where he lived as 'Vyagrapuram' or 'Puliyoor'. During this time the rishis
living in the forest known as 'Tharukavanam' became very arrogant as they had
mastered all the 'Vedas', 'Agamas' and 'Shastras' and could raise powerful
creatures from the sacrificial fires to do their bidding. Lord Shiva wished to
show these rishis their limitations and appeared as a handsome mendicant with
Vishnu as his wife 'Mohini'. This created chaos in 'Tharukavanam' as the wives
of the rishis fell under the spell of this charming, handsome mendicant while
the youthful rishis fell for the allure of Mohini.
The older rishis became very angry and wanted to destroy the pair. They raised a sacrificial fire ('Homam') from which appeared a tiger which was directed at the pair. Lord Shiva killed the tiger, peeled off its skin and tied it around his waist. Then the rishis produced a poisonous serpent, which Lord Shiva caught and wore around his neck. The rishis also sent a demon 'Muyalakan' against Lord Shiva whom he crushed under his feet. Then the rishis sent the sacrificial fire against him which he put on his left hand.
The rishis having lost the fire sent the vedic 'mantras' which the Lord wore around his ankles. At this the rishis conceded defeat and the Lord revealed himself by dancing the 'Oorthava thandavam' with his matted hair unfurling in all eight directions and the world reverberating to his steps.Lord Vishnu described this incident to Adishesa, the serpent on which Lord Vishnu reposes. Adishesha wished to see this dance and taking leave of Lord Vishnu went and prayed to Lord Shiva to grant him the honour of witnessing his dance. Lord Shiva advised Adhishesha to go to Vyagrapuram where he would one day perform this dance.
Adishesha was then born on this land and was given the name Pathanjali. Pathanjali approached Vyagrapadar and told him of his quest. As Vyagrapadar himself was eager to see the Lord's dance he was delighted to receive Pathanjali and accompanied him to the temple of Lord Shiva and prayed for the Lord's appearance. On an auspicious day the celestial beings arrived at Thillai along with other Rishis, and sages and assembled where Vyagrapadar had his temple. The heavenly musicians too arrived. Then Lord Shiva appeared with one of His right hands beating the drums and the other hand bestowing grace.With His left hand holding the fire and the other pointing to his right leg trampling Muyalakan under the foot, He appeared with His left leg raised in a dancing pose.
The guardian of the forest in Thillai, Goddess Kali, refused to allow Lord Shiva to dance in Her domain. Lord Shiva therefore challenged Her to a dance competition on condition that if He won then She would be banished from that area. The competition began. While Naradha played the veena, Nandikeswara played the drums and other celestial musicians accompanied with their instruments Lord Shiva danced with his hair flung in all directions. With the 'vedas' as his anklets, the serpent as his waist band, the tiger skin as his attire with Ganga and the crescent moon on his crest, He performed the 'Ananda thandavam'.
At one stage Lord Shiva took a pose with His left foot raised above His head but modesty prevented Goddess Kali matching the same pose. Thus She lost the competition and had taken residence in the northern end of Chidambaram in the Thillaiamman temple. Every devotee who comes to Chidambaram after worshipping at the Natarajar temple visits this temple too. Pathanjali and Vyagrapadar prayed to Lord Shiva to remain at Thillai as the eternally dancing god 'Lord Natarajar' so that all the earthly beings could witness his dance and receive his grace and blessing.
Opening Timess:The temple is open from 6 am to 12 noon and then from 5 pm to 10 pm
The older rishis became very angry and wanted to destroy the pair. They raised a sacrificial fire ('Homam') from which appeared a tiger which was directed at the pair. Lord Shiva killed the tiger, peeled off its skin and tied it around his waist. Then the rishis produced a poisonous serpent, which Lord Shiva caught and wore around his neck. The rishis also sent a demon 'Muyalakan' against Lord Shiva whom he crushed under his feet. Then the rishis sent the sacrificial fire against him which he put on his left hand.
The rishis having lost the fire sent the vedic 'mantras' which the Lord wore around his ankles. At this the rishis conceded defeat and the Lord revealed himself by dancing the 'Oorthava thandavam' with his matted hair unfurling in all eight directions and the world reverberating to his steps.Lord Vishnu described this incident to Adishesa, the serpent on which Lord Vishnu reposes. Adishesha wished to see this dance and taking leave of Lord Vishnu went and prayed to Lord Shiva to grant him the honour of witnessing his dance. Lord Shiva advised Adhishesha to go to Vyagrapuram where he would one day perform this dance.
Adishesha was then born on this land and was given the name Pathanjali. Pathanjali approached Vyagrapadar and told him of his quest. As Vyagrapadar himself was eager to see the Lord's dance he was delighted to receive Pathanjali and accompanied him to the temple of Lord Shiva and prayed for the Lord's appearance. On an auspicious day the celestial beings arrived at Thillai along with other Rishis, and sages and assembled where Vyagrapadar had his temple. The heavenly musicians too arrived. Then Lord Shiva appeared with one of His right hands beating the drums and the other hand bestowing grace.With His left hand holding the fire and the other pointing to his right leg trampling Muyalakan under the foot, He appeared with His left leg raised in a dancing pose.
The guardian of the forest in Thillai, Goddess Kali, refused to allow Lord Shiva to dance in Her domain. Lord Shiva therefore challenged Her to a dance competition on condition that if He won then She would be banished from that area. The competition began. While Naradha played the veena, Nandikeswara played the drums and other celestial musicians accompanied with their instruments Lord Shiva danced with his hair flung in all directions. With the 'vedas' as his anklets, the serpent as his waist band, the tiger skin as his attire with Ganga and the crescent moon on his crest, He performed the 'Ananda thandavam'.
At one stage Lord Shiva took a pose with His left foot raised above His head but modesty prevented Goddess Kali matching the same pose. Thus She lost the competition and had taken residence in the northern end of Chidambaram in the Thillaiamman temple. Every devotee who comes to Chidambaram after worshipping at the Natarajar temple visits this temple too. Pathanjali and Vyagrapadar prayed to Lord Shiva to remain at Thillai as the eternally dancing god 'Lord Natarajar' so that all the earthly beings could witness his dance and receive his grace and blessing.
Opening Timess:The temple is open from 6 am to 12 noon and then from 5 pm to 10 pm
Chidambaram being one of the Panchabootha Sthalams (Five
Elements Temple ) of Lord Shiva represents the 'Ether' of the five elements. It
thus speaks of the limitless nature of the Lord. Perhaps the only temple of
Lord Shiva that celebrates His formlessness, His un-manifested nature that
elapses and eludes the grasp of mind. He is thus known as the Akasha Lingam
here.
The Lord however adorns an endearing form of a cosmic dancer, Nataraja for the yearning eyes. A form that captures His five divine acts of creation, sustenance, dissolution, concealment and bestowal of grace in a blissful dancing pose. It is also one of the Pancha Sabhais or the 'Five halls' representing the 'Hall of Gold'.
It was the time when the learned gloated with pride of the supremacy of actions via rituals and mantras in the view of bringing the Lord under their control. It is said that Lord Shiva along with His consort, Mother Parvati strolled into the Thillai Vanam or Daruka Vanam (Forest with a species of mangrove trees) where a group of learned saints and rishis were engaged in rituals. The Lord assumed the form of a nude mendicant seeking alms with unusual resplendence and beauty which drew the attention of the wives of the group of rishis. The enraged rishis invoked a number of serpents through rituals against the Lord. The Lord adorned His matted locks, neck and waist with the serpents.
The Rishis' then invoked a fierce tiger to attack the Lord who tore it apart and donned its skin as a garment around His waist. The Rishis' whose anger reaching the peak, invoked a demon called Muyalakan with all their spiritual might whom the Lord effortlessly subjugated him under His feet by stepping on his back. At the conquest of the powers of the Rishis, the Lord performed the 'Aaananda Thandavam' or the 'Blissful dance' revealing His true form. The Rishis then realised that the Lord was beyond the control of actions and surrendered to Him.
The story of Sage Patanjali and Vyagrapaadar or Pulikaalmuni is yet another interesting aspect in the legend of Chidambaram. Adisesha, the serpent on whom Lord Vishnu reclines, on hearing of the Aaananda Thandava wished to see the Lord in the blissful motion. In accordance with the Lord's beckon, Adisesha assumed the form of Sage Patanjali and worshipped the Lord in the forest of Thillai. He was also joined by Pulikaalmuni who was blessed with the feet of a tiger to efficiently pluck bilva leaves on the tree for the Lord's worship. They adored the Lord in the form of a Shivalinga called Thirumoolattaneswarar . The Lord pleased with their worship feasted their heart and eyes with His 'Aaananda Thandavam'.
The legend also boasts of Lord Shiva emerging victorious in the dance duel with the competing Goddess Parvati by lifting His feet high up in a posture called the Urdhva Thandava, an out and out male gesture. The goddess demurely bowed down to the Lord of not being able to perform the pose. The dance was an outcome of the couple's teasing of one another during their amorous arguments. However, a variation in the story narrates about the dance between Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali.
The Lord however adorns an endearing form of a cosmic dancer, Nataraja for the yearning eyes. A form that captures His five divine acts of creation, sustenance, dissolution, concealment and bestowal of grace in a blissful dancing pose. It is also one of the Pancha Sabhais or the 'Five halls' representing the 'Hall of Gold'.
It was the time when the learned gloated with pride of the supremacy of actions via rituals and mantras in the view of bringing the Lord under their control. It is said that Lord Shiva along with His consort, Mother Parvati strolled into the Thillai Vanam or Daruka Vanam (Forest with a species of mangrove trees) where a group of learned saints and rishis were engaged in rituals. The Lord assumed the form of a nude mendicant seeking alms with unusual resplendence and beauty which drew the attention of the wives of the group of rishis. The enraged rishis invoked a number of serpents through rituals against the Lord. The Lord adorned His matted locks, neck and waist with the serpents.
The Rishis' then invoked a fierce tiger to attack the Lord who tore it apart and donned its skin as a garment around His waist. The Rishis' whose anger reaching the peak, invoked a demon called Muyalakan with all their spiritual might whom the Lord effortlessly subjugated him under His feet by stepping on his back. At the conquest of the powers of the Rishis, the Lord performed the 'Aaananda Thandavam' or the 'Blissful dance' revealing His true form. The Rishis then realised that the Lord was beyond the control of actions and surrendered to Him.
The story of Sage Patanjali and Vyagrapaadar or Pulikaalmuni is yet another interesting aspect in the legend of Chidambaram. Adisesha, the serpent on whom Lord Vishnu reclines, on hearing of the Aaananda Thandava wished to see the Lord in the blissful motion. In accordance with the Lord's beckon, Adisesha assumed the form of Sage Patanjali and worshipped the Lord in the forest of Thillai. He was also joined by Pulikaalmuni who was blessed with the feet of a tiger to efficiently pluck bilva leaves on the tree for the Lord's worship. They adored the Lord in the form of a Shivalinga called Thirumoolattaneswarar . The Lord pleased with their worship feasted their heart and eyes with His 'Aaananda Thandavam'.
The legend also boasts of Lord Shiva emerging victorious in the dance duel with the competing Goddess Parvati by lifting His feet high up in a posture called the Urdhva Thandava, an out and out male gesture. The goddess demurely bowed down to the Lord of not being able to perform the pose. The dance was an outcome of the couple's teasing of one another during their amorous arguments. However, a variation in the story narrates about the dance between Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali.
Chidambaram is in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. The
temple of Chidambaram boasts of five Sabhais or halls. Chit Sabhai or the
Ponnambalam is the sanctum sanctorum that houses the deities Lord Nataraja and
Sivagamasundari. The Lord presents Himself in three forms in the sanctum. Lord
Nataraja in His full form called Sakala Thirumeni, Lord Chandramouleeshwara in
a form of a Linga, Sakala Nishkala Thirumeni and the formless Lord or the space
in Chidambara Rahasyam, Nishkala Thirumeni.
Kanaka Sabhai is where the daily rituals are carried out. The Nrithya Sabhai or Natya Sabhai is where the dance duel of Shiva and Kali had taken place. The Raja Sabhai or the 1000 pillared hall symbolizes the Yogic chakra of thousand pillared lotus or Sahasraram and the Deva Sabhai accommodates the temples of the other deities.
The temple of Chidambaram also houses a shrine called Thillai Thiruchitrakoodam for Lord Govindaraja Perumal (Lord Vishnu) and is considered one of the 108 Divyadesams.
The Shivaganga tank forms the holy water of the temple apart from the numerous other water bodies.
Spiritual Significance Of Chidambara Rahasyam
Of the word Chidhambaram, the term 'Chit' would mean consciousness and 'Ambaram' would mean 'Sky' derived from 'Aakaasam' or 'Aaakayam'. The terms put together would be the 'Sky of Consciousness'.
A curtain is found within the sanctum sanctorum, the drawing of which reveals an empty space with streams of golden bilva leaves hung to indicate the presence of the Lord. The exterior part of the curtain which is black indicates the ignorance of man while the interior part of it in red, symbolises wisdom and bliss. The empty space within exposes the worship of the Lord in His formless state. The curtain is drawn during the daily rituals for the worship of the formless Lord, the realization of which is liberation or Mukti. This is truly a ritual that penetrates the prevailing notions about the divine to the bareness of nothingness, which is divinity in actuality.
Chidambara Rahasyam is hence, the journey from ignorance to wisdom and ultimately to liberation through surrender that bestows bliss.
Festivals
Two annual Bhrammotsavams are celebrated in Chidambaram, the important being Dec 15 - Jan 15. The Arudra Darisanam, Shivaratri and other festivals pertaining to Lord Shiva are celebrated here. Natyanjali Dance Festival is held annually during the months of February and March.
Directions
Chidambaram is between Villuppuram and Thanjavur on the Chennai Tiruchirappalli Main line. By road it is only 235 kilometers South of Chennai. Thanjavur is about 100 kilometers away from Chidambaram. The nearest airport is Trichy at a distance of about 160 Km.
Kanaka Sabhai is where the daily rituals are carried out. The Nrithya Sabhai or Natya Sabhai is where the dance duel of Shiva and Kali had taken place. The Raja Sabhai or the 1000 pillared hall symbolizes the Yogic chakra of thousand pillared lotus or Sahasraram and the Deva Sabhai accommodates the temples of the other deities.
The temple of Chidambaram also houses a shrine called Thillai Thiruchitrakoodam for Lord Govindaraja Perumal (Lord Vishnu) and is considered one of the 108 Divyadesams.
The Shivaganga tank forms the holy water of the temple apart from the numerous other water bodies.
Spiritual Significance Of Chidambara Rahasyam
Of the word Chidhambaram, the term 'Chit' would mean consciousness and 'Ambaram' would mean 'Sky' derived from 'Aakaasam' or 'Aaakayam'. The terms put together would be the 'Sky of Consciousness'.
A curtain is found within the sanctum sanctorum, the drawing of which reveals an empty space with streams of golden bilva leaves hung to indicate the presence of the Lord. The exterior part of the curtain which is black indicates the ignorance of man while the interior part of it in red, symbolises wisdom and bliss. The empty space within exposes the worship of the Lord in His formless state. The curtain is drawn during the daily rituals for the worship of the formless Lord, the realization of which is liberation or Mukti. This is truly a ritual that penetrates the prevailing notions about the divine to the bareness of nothingness, which is divinity in actuality.
Chidambara Rahasyam is hence, the journey from ignorance to wisdom and ultimately to liberation through surrender that bestows bliss.
Festivals
Two annual Bhrammotsavams are celebrated in Chidambaram, the important being Dec 15 - Jan 15. The Arudra Darisanam, Shivaratri and other festivals pertaining to Lord Shiva are celebrated here. Natyanjali Dance Festival is held annually during the months of February and March.
Directions
Chidambaram is between Villuppuram and Thanjavur on the Chennai Tiruchirappalli Main line. By road it is only 235 kilometers South of Chennai. Thanjavur is about 100 kilometers away from Chidambaram. The nearest airport is Trichy at a distance of about 160 Km.
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