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.