This Shiva temple is one of the largest Shiva temple in the world (about 40 acres). It is one of the Athara sthalam representing "Adnya" chakra. It is also the Pancha Bhoota sthala temple representing the element “Aakash” as well as one of the 275 Shiva temples revered by Shaivaites Nayanmars. It is situated at Chidambaram in Kadalur district of Tamil Nadu.
It is one of the places where Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance (Pon ambalam i.e. Golden Sabai). Chidambaram is also referred as THILLAI (a type of mangrove), as this place was abundant with these type of plants. The temple is also known as Chidambaram Nataraja temple and it is about 2000 years old.
Mulavar: Thirumulanadar, Koothanadar,
Devi (Consort): Umayambika, Shivagamsundari
Kshetra Vruksha: Thillai plant
Sacred Teertha: Shivaganga, Vyaghrapada Tirtha, Anant Tirtha, Bramha Tirtha and about a number of others totaling about 10.
The preceding deity is Thirumulanadar which is a swayambhu linga. The ruling deity is Lord Nataraja. On the Western side of Thirumulanadar Shrine, there is a tree made of stone. The shrine of Lord Vishnu (Govindraj Perumal) and the shrine of Thillai-Kali are close by. From the mandap, in front of Lord Nataraja shrine, we can have darshan of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva at the same time. This temple is also known as Chittrambalam (which is a combination of two words Chit + Ambalam) which eventually became Chidambaram.
At this temple we can have darshan of Lord Shiva in 3 forms namely in an idol form as Nataraja, formless as Aakash and as a spathika linga. Sage Vyaghrapada and Sage Patanjali did penance here for the darshan of Lord Shiva. Responding to their severe penance, He appeared here along with 3000 munis (sages) and gave darshan to them. This day, Tamil month Thai (Jan-Feb) on Pushya nakshatra is celebrated here. It is stated that for salvation, one should be born at Thiruvarur or live in Kanchi or think of Thiruvannamalai or die at Kashi. Similarly it is stated that if one worships Lord Nataraja or Lord Thirumulanadar, he is definite to get salvation. A Srichakra was installed by Aadi-Shankaracharya in the Ambika shrine.
Being very old temple, it has gone through many renovations done by empires of Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Viajayanagar and Chera. One of the notable renovation is gold plated gopurams.
Legends from Puran:
Sage Vashishta advised one of the sons (Maadyandinar) of his relative to worship the swayambhu lingam at Thillaivanam for getting complete wisdom. He could not pick the flowers before sunrise. They were considered as impure if picked-up after sunrise as honey in the flowers was sucked up by bees. He prayed to Lord Shiva that he was not in a position to pick the flowers in darkness and as he could not climb the tree in darkness. Lord granted him the legs of the tiger so that he could climb trees and gave sight which could see in darkness. Lord blessed him and stated that he would be known henceforth as Sage Vyaghrapada.
The main legend is that, Lord Shiva appearing in Thillai vanam to teach a lesson to the rishi who felt that they can control God by their rituals and mantras. Lord Shiva appeared there as Bhikshadanar and Lord Vishnu appeared as Mohini (a beautiful lady) as His consort. The wives of rishis were enchanted by the beauty of Bhikshadanar and Mohini. The rishis who got enraged tried various ways to destroy Lord Shiva. They invoked a fierce tiger on Him. He tore the skin of the tiger and tied it around his waist. A fierce elephant which was invoked by the sages, was also killed and hence Lord Shiva is known as Gajasamhar murti. A demon who was invoked by the rishis was immobilized by Lord Shiva’s anand-tandav. Finally the rishis, surrendered to Lord Shiva and realized the truth that he is beyond magic, rituals and mantras.
The Shrines in the temple:
Thiruadimulanadar and Umaiyala – The Linga swaroop worshiped by sages Vyaghrapada and Patanjali.
The Shrines of 63 Nayanmars
Shrine of Shivagamsundari
Shrine of Vinayaka
Shrine of Lord Muruga
Besides these there are a number of smaller shrines.
The halls (sabha, ambalams) – There are 5 halls namely,
Chittrambalam – This sanctum houses Lord Nataraja and Goddess Shivagamasundari
Ponnambalam or Kanaksabai – The rituals are conducted from here
Nrityasabai – This is the 56 pillar hall near the dhwajastambha. Here Lord Nataraja out danced Kali and established his superiority
Rajasabai – This is a 1000 pillar hall which symbolizes the yogic chakra, sashastraram. This hall is open only during festival days.
Devasabai- This houses the panchamurtis, Lord Ganesh, Lord Somaskandha, Goddess Shivanandnayaki and Lord Chandikeshwar.
Significance of the temple –
Of the 5 Pancha Bhuta sthalams, Shrikalahasti, Kanchipuram and Chidambaram stand on a straight line at exactly 79’41” East longitude. Thiruvannaikaval is located around 3’ to the South and 1’ to West of Northern tip of this axis whereas Thiruvannamalai is mid-way between these two.
The nine entrances of the temple signifies the 9 orifices in the human body.
In the Ponnambalam, the sanctum sanctorum represents the heart which can be reached by the 5 steps, which represents the Panchakshari mantra - SI VA YA NA MA. The entrance to this sabai is from the side and not from the front as in usual manner. The roof of the sabai is supported by 4 pillars representing the 4 vedas.
Ponnambalam is supported by 28 pillars representing 28 agamas (methods of worship). 64 beams of the roof represents 64 forms of arts. The cross beams represents the blood vessels in the body. 21600 golden tiles of the roof represent 21600 breaths. The tiles are fixed by 72000 golden nails representing the nadis in the human body. The 9 golden kalash represents the nine forms of energy. The artha-mandap has 6 pillars representing the 6 shastras.
The hall next to artha mandap, has 18 pillars representing 18 puranas.
Festivals:
There are 6 major festivals performed in a year for Lord Natraja.
In the Tamil month of Margazi (Dec-Jan) – Thiruvaadhirai
On the 14th day of the new moon in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-March) festival is held
In the Tamil month of Chittrai (April-May) – the festival is held on Thiruvonam
In the Tamil month of Aani (June-July) – festival is held on Uttiram nakshatra
In the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept) – festival is held on Chaturdashi
On Chaturdashi day of the tamil month of Protasi (Oct-Nov) festival is held
The first 2 are considered to be the most important festivals of the year.
Natyanjali is celebrated in February. Dancers gather to present Bharatnatyam to Lord Natraja as a mark of respect
It is very difficult to enumerate the greatness of these temples which we have been trying in the last few articles. With this article we conclude the summary of Pancha Bhuta Sthalams.
Courtesy: Following sites
1. https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and
2. https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/
3. http://www.indAiatemples.in/
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