Chidambaram Thillai Nataraja Temple

TamilNadu, Cuddalorei, Chennai

Located in the town of Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, Thillai Natarajah Temple, Chidambaram or Chidambaram temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Sangam classics refer to Viduvelvidugu Perumtaccan, respected clan of traditional Vishwakarmas, as being the chief architect of the temple renovation. Here, Lord Shiva is seen in the form of Thillai Koothan (Thillai Nataraja - Shiva, The Lord of Dance). It is the only Shiva temple where Shiva is being worshiped in an anthropomorphic form rather than a Lingam. The temple has been traditionally administered by a group of Shiavite Brahmins called Dikshitar.

Legend

It is believed that once Lord Shiva with Lord Vishnu in Mohini Avatar came down to stroll amidst Thillai (Daaruka) Vanam. There lived a group of Sage that believed in power of magic rather than the power of God. The sages and their wives were enchanted by the brilliance and the beauty of couple. Out of envy, the sages summoned serpents, a tiger, and an elephant to kill Lord Shiva, who was in the form of a mendicant. Shiva conquered them all and the sages eventually, summoned the demon Muyalakan (a symbol of complete arrogance and ignorance), who was also conquered easily by Lord Shiva by performing Ananda Tandava (the dance of eternal bliss). On realising the true identity of the mendicant, the sages surrenderred. The temple is an extension of those events and Lord Shiva can still be seen in His dancing form, with demon Mualakan under His feet.

This temple is part of the famous Pancha Bootha Stalam Yatra.

Architecture

The temple complex is spread over 50 acres. The architecture resembles the styles of different dynasties that it was renovated by. The temple has 9 gateways and four of these have towering pagodas or gopurams each with 7 levels in the East, South, West and North. The eastern pagoda has all the 108 postures (karnams) of Bharathanatyam. There are 5 sabhas or diases or halls.

Darsan Info

Darshan Timings:
Morning 6.00 AM to 12.00 noon
Evening 5.00 PM to 10.00 night

Darsan Dresscode

Unlike many South Indian temples, there are no dress-codes.

Travel Support

If you are interested in visiting please mail us :- [email protected] or call us directly on Mobile :- +919619899406 or Land Phone :- +91 22 28470990. Our team will be more than happy to assist and take care of your complete itinerary end-to-end in a personalized and professional manner.

Pooja Samagri

The accessibility to good quality pooja articles in today's adulterated world as well as availability of all the items required is a major concern for many devotees. Please check out our P-STORE page for various high quality Pooja Samagri for your Pilgrimage or mail us :- [email protected] or call us directly on Mobile :- +919619899406 or Land Phone :- +91 22 28470990.

Culture

Being the temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva in His cosmic dancing form, the region has a peculiar devotion to the dance forms, especially Bharatnatyam. This is also the place, where you would find the last of Dikshitar sect of priests. The populations here, takes part in different dance festival organized by the local cultural organizations.

Travel Support

Travel Support
[email protected]
+91 9349944261,+91 9443635280

Our team will be more than happy to assist and take care of your complete itinerary end-to-end in a personalized and professional manner.

Temple Rituals

Go pujai, Abhishek with ghee/milk/curd/ rice/sandal paste/holy ash, deeparadhana,

Special Rituals

Temple Opens with Lords footwear (paaduka) from Palliyarai (Bedroom) to the Sanctorum. Temple closes with Lord Paaduka being taken back to the Palliyarai.