Tamilnadu Tourism: Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram, Cuddalore

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram, Cuddalore

Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram, Cuddalore

Nataraja Temple, also referred to as the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple or Thillai Nataraja Temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Nataraja, Lord Shiva as the lord of dance, in Chidambaram in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. The temple is known as the foremost of all temples (Kovil) to Shaivites and has influenced worship, architecture, sculpture and performance art for over two millennia. Chidambaram, the name of the city and the temple literally means "atmosphere of wisdom" or "clothed in thought", the temple architecture symbolizes the connection between the arts and spirituality, creative activity and the divine. The temple wall carvings display all the 108 Karanas from the Natya Shastra by Bharata Muni, and these postures form a foundation of Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance.

Presiding Deity is called as Natarajar / Ambalakoothan, Chitambala Udayar / Ambalavaanar. Shiva, who is the presiding deity of this temple, is worshipped here in three aspects: as form; as formless form; and as formless. Chidambaram is the birthplace of the sculpture and bronze image representation of Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer, a Tamilian concept and motif in Chola art that has since become notable as a symbol of Hinduism. The shrine is the only Shiva temple to have its main deity represented in this anthropomorphic form, as the Supreme Being who performs all cosmic activities. Mother is called as Sivakami / Shivakamasundari. Two other forms of Lord Shiva are represented close to this in the vimana (inner sanctum) of the temple - as a crystallized lingam - the most common representation of Lord Shiva in temples, and as the ether space classical element, represented with empty space and a garland of fifty-one hanging golden Vilvam leaves (Aegle Marmelos).

The Sangam classics list chief architect Viduvelvidugu Perumtaccan as directing an early renovation of the shrine. The present temple was built in the 10th century when Chidambaram was the capital of the Chola dynasty, making it one of the oldest surviving active temple complexes in South India. After its 10th century consecration by the Cholas who considered Nataraja as their family deity, the temple has been damaged, repaired, renovated and expanded through the 2nd millennium.

Most of the temple's surviving plan, architecture and structure is from the late 12^th and early 13^th centuries, with later additions in similar style. While Shiva as Nataraja is the primary deity of the temple, it reverentially presents major themes from Shaktism, Vaishnavism, and other traditions of Hinduism. The Chidambaram temple complex, for example, has the earliest known Amman or Devi Temple in South India, a pre-13th century Surya shrine with chariot, shrines for Ganesha, Murugan and Vishnu, one of the earliest known Shiva Ganga sacred pool, large mandapas for the convenience of pilgrims (choultry, Ambalam or Sabhai) and other monuments.

The temple and the deity were immortalized in Tamil poetry in the works of Thevaram by three poet saints belonging to the 7th century - Thirugnana Sambandhar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundaramoorthy Nayanar. Thirugnana Sambandhar has composed 2 songs in praise of the temple, Thirunavukkarasar aka Appar 8 Tevarams in praise of Nataraja and Sundarar 1 song in praise of Nataraja. This is the 55^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 1^st Sthalam on the north side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. The Alwar Poems of the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham sung about the glory of Vishnu, whose image is also housed in this temple, and his shrine is referred to as 'Tiruchitrakootam'.

Shiva himself is presented as the Nataraja performing the Ananda Tandava ("Dance of Delight") in the golden hall of the shrine Pon Ambalam. There have been several renovations and offerings to Chidambaram by the Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara and Chera royals in the ancient and pre-medieval periods. It is also a site for performance arts, including the annual Natyanjali dance festival on Maha Shivaratri. At the time of the Chariot Festival the main Murti or image of the shrine, the Nataraja himself, is taken out for the procession, whereas in other temples special festival Murtis are taken in procession, while the main Murti remains in the temple sanctum.

Besides being one of the largest temples in India, it is one of the very few temples practicing the Vedic tradition and rituals, where all other temples follow the Agamic doctrine of worship. The Vedic doctrine centers on the performance of the Yagna or fire sacrifice. This doctrine has been preserved by a community of hereditary priests is an unbroken, oral tradition. Called Deekshithars, they have been the guardians of the temple and its traditions since prehistoric times. The Temple is considered as one among the Pancha Bhootha Sthalams (Sky Element), Pancha Sabha Temples, Aathara Sthalams and Pancha Puliyur Shrines. This temple is open to all, without discrimination. The temple instructs visitors not to photograph or film any deities under worship.