Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram – Administration
The Chidambaram temple is unique in countless ways, but
one outstanding feature is without doubt the way in which its priestly
community is organized. It is possible the oldest and longest functioning
democracy in the world. The community is called Podu Deekshithars, which means
‘the gathering of Deekshithars’. Every Deekshithar has one vote in the general
assembly, which takes place every twenty days. The daily management is in the
hand of a team of nine members, one of which will be selected to be the Secretary
of the temple for one year. The duties of the Secretary of the temple are to
preside over all the activities in connection with the daily management, as
well as to represent the temple towards the outside world.
All ritual duties in the temple are performed through a
strict rotation system. Special honorary functions, like presiding over the
great Chariot Festivals, or other special ritual functions are accredited by
drawing a name from the list of community’s members. Deekshithars have always
been known for their scholarship, and although the fast changes of the present
era put a lot of strains on the ability of the community to maintain its
tradition, many are facing this challenge by combining the pursuit of an
academic career with serving their Lord in the temple routine. There was a time
when the Deekshithars did not need to depend on the devotees for their income,
but nowadays they form priest-client relationships.
The Dikshidars are a class of
Vaidika Brahmins whom, legends say, were brought here from Mt. Kailas,
by Patanjali, specifically for the performance of the daily rituals and
maintenance of the Chidambaram temple. The entire community of Dikshidars live
in Chidambaram and
also serve as the hereditary trustees of the temple. They are also
called Thillai Muvayiravar or the Three Thousand of Thillai. The Deekshithars were
supposed to be 3000 but today they number around 360. These Deekshithars follow
the Vedic rituals, unlike the Sivachariyars or Adhisaivars who follow
the agamic rituals for the worship of Shiva. A practice unique to the
community is that the priests wear the tuft of hair in front of the head
similar to the Namboothiri Brahmans
of Kerala.
Every Dikshitar once he is married becomes as of right a
trustee and Archaka of the temple. The Deekshithars are the one and
fully responsible for the administration and pooja. Simply they mentioned their
surname as the Sri Natarajar Temple Trustee and Pooja forever. Deekshithars
life and temple tied as the nail and flesh relationship. The rituals for the
temple were collated from the Vedas and set by Patanjali. Every
married male member of the Dikshitar family gets a turn to perform the rituals
at the temple and can serve as the chief priest for the day. Married Deekshithars
are also entitled a share of the temple's revenue. Though the temple is said to
have been given endowments of almost 5,000 acres (20 km2) of fertile land
– having been patronized by various rulers for several centuries, it is managed
almost entirely by privately run endowments.
Although considered as among the Shiva Brahmans or
Ayars, they form a completely separate group. Not only is their philosophy and
temple doctrine different from other social groups and other temples, but also
their way of life is very different from the society around them. A Deekshithar
has to wear his hair long, with a tonsure all around the rim. The hair is
pulled to the left side and tied into a bun. This reflects their awareness of
cosmology. It also expresses some aspects of the temple philosophy. They follow
the teaching of Baudhayana Maharishi. Male and female energies are inseparable
and both essential for the process of cosmos. The Deekshithars acknowledge
their female side by wearing their hair long and in a bun, on the left side of
the body, which is considered the female side.
The Chidambaram Mahatmiyam recounts of their arrival in Thillai
just as Lord Nataraja started his dance there. Thus, they were the chosen
guardians of the Lord’s worship and of the temple from its very conception. Their
relation to Lord Nataraja is a very intimate and powerful one, which is
expressed by the legend that once the 3000 were requested by Brahma to perform
a Vedic sacrifice in heaven. At their return they counted to make sure all had
returned safely. But however, they counted, they found only 2999. All were very
upset, until a voice from the Sabha called out and announced that he himself,
Lord Nataraja, was the 3000th Deekshithars.