Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram – Deva Sabha

Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram – Deva Sabha
Deva Sabhai is situated on the eastern side of the second courtyard of the Temple complex. It is called Perampalam, literally Great Hall in the inscriptions, which suggests that it is an early structure and was historically important. This may be the hall where Nayanmar saints came and sang hymns. It may also have hosted royal visits during the Chola era times. The Deva Sabha houses the temple's revered collection of historic bronze sculptures and modern era frescoes. One of the paintings show Parvati seated in a chair, watching the Nritta Sabha hall.
This hall houses the Pancha moorthis (Somaskandar, Parvati, Vinayaka, Subramanya and Chandikeswara). Moolanathar, or the representation of Shiva as a Lingam is housed in the second prakaram. The age and history of this Sabha is also hidden in the mists of time. There is some evidence the Deva Sabha was once used as an audience hall by visiting kings of the different governing dynasties of the Cholas, Pandyas and others during the several phases of history.