Before starting to write about Chidambaram Natarajar Temple ,I wanted to convey that, my friend Vidyolatha passed on this information. I have just added few more points.
Chidambaram Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the heart of the temple town of Chidambaram, 58 Km. south of Pondicherry in Cudalore District, the east - central part of the Tamil Nadu . This temple surpasses (Distinguish oneself) the limits of architectural wonders.
In Hindu literature, Chidambaram is the seat of the cosmic dancer Nataraja (Ananda Tandava pose ; the Cosmic Dance of bliss(A state of extreme happiness)). one of the five holiest Shiva temples, each representing one of the Five Natural Elements , (the Pancha Bhutasthalas).
Temple Architecture and Significance :
This temple is spread over 40 acres in the heart of the city.
It is surrounded by massive walls with four big tall gopurams in four directions and a big tank called Sivagangai tank measuring 175x100 feet towards the North. The North & South gopurams are 160feet high. The 108 dance postures as seen in the Natya Sastra are sculpted in these towers. It has five principal sabhais known as Kanakasabhai, Chit sabhai, Nritya sabhai, Deva sabhai and Raja sabhai.
Roof of the Chitsabha Mandapam :
1.The Chit Sabhai , which is the sanctum Sanctorum housing Lord Nataraja, his consort Goddess Shivagamasundari.The idol of Nataraja
is enshrined in the Chit sabhai. Behind this idol, is a screen, which is considered to cover the Akasa Lingam. It is an invisible Lingam, with golden vilva garlands, i.e stressing the belief that there is everything in nothing. There are five silver plated steps to reach the Chit Sabhai, representing the Panchakshara mantram - Na ma si va ya. The embossed images of the saints Vyagrapada and Patanjali, are to be seen on the doors. Both these saints had been blessed witht the sight of the cosmic dance of Shiva. Lord Vishnu also is said to have witnessed this scene.
The images of Ratnasabhapati (Nataraja of Ruby), the Spatika Lingam of Chandramauleeswara, Swarnakarshana Bhairavar, Mukhalingam are also to be found in the Chitsabhai.
2. In the Kanaka Sabhai (golden hall) lying adjacent to the Chit Sabhai, poojas are offered. The ceiling of these two sabhais are gold plated.
3.The Nritya Sabhai, which is richly sculpted in the form of a chariot drawn by horses houses the images of Nataraja in Urdhava Tandava pose, image of Sarabheswara. In this sabhai the Lord is said to have danced with goddess kali, an embodiment energy and established His supermacy.
4. The Deva Sabha is a spacious hall meant for the celebration of important festivals and houses the festival images of the Pancha Murtis (Somaskandar, Parvati, Vinayaka, Subramanya and Chandikeswara) and other deities.
5.The Raja Sabha measuring 103 metres by 58 metres is housed in a 1000 pillared hall in the outermost prakaram. Tradition holds that Sekhizhar did here the arangetram (first recital) of Peria Puranam that details the history of 63 Nayanmars
To be continued in Part - 2 . : check this link:
hindutradition.blogspot.com/2009/01/chidambaram-natarajar-temple-part-2.html
Chidambaram Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the heart of the temple town of Chidambaram, 58 Km. south of Pondicherry in Cudalore District, the east - central part of the Tamil Nadu . This temple surpasses (Distinguish oneself) the limits of architectural wonders.
In Hindu literature, Chidambaram is the seat of the cosmic dancer Nataraja (Ananda Tandava pose ; the Cosmic Dance of bliss(A state of extreme happiness)). one of the five holiest Shiva temples, each representing one of the Five Natural Elements , (the Pancha Bhutasthalas).
- Chidambaram is the Aakasha sthalam - Space.
- Kanchipuram is the Prithvi sthalam - Earth,
- Tiruvanaikaval is the Appu sthalam - Water,
- Kalahasti is the Vaayu sthalam - Air &
- Tiruvannamalai is the Thejo sthalam - Fire.
Temple Architecture and Significance :
This temple is spread over 40 acres in the heart of the city.It is surrounded by massive walls with four big tall gopurams in four directions and a big tank called Sivagangai tank measuring 175x100 feet towards the North. The North & South gopurams are 160feet high. The 108 dance postures as seen in the Natya Sastra are sculpted in these towers. It has five principal sabhais known as Kanakasabhai, Chit sabhai, Nritya sabhai, Deva sabhai and Raja sabhai.
Roof of the Chitsabha Mandapam :
1.The Chit Sabhai , which is the sanctum Sanctorum housing Lord Nataraja, his consort Goddess Shivagamasundari.The idol of Nataraja
is enshrined in the Chit sabhai. Behind this idol, is a screen, which is considered to cover the Akasa Lingam. It is an invisible Lingam, with golden vilva garlands, i.e stressing the belief that there is everything in nothing. There are five silver plated steps to reach the Chit Sabhai, representing the Panchakshara mantram - Na ma si va ya. The embossed images of the saints Vyagrapada and Patanjali, are to be seen on the doors. Both these saints had been blessed witht the sight of the cosmic dance of Shiva. Lord Vishnu also is said to have witnessed this scene.The images of Ratnasabhapati (Nataraja of Ruby), the Spatika Lingam of Chandramauleeswara, Swarnakarshana Bhairavar, Mukhalingam are also to be found in the Chitsabhai.
2. In the Kanaka Sabhai (golden hall) lying adjacent to the Chit Sabhai, poojas are offered. The ceiling of these two sabhais are gold plated.
3.The Nritya Sabhai, which is richly sculpted in the form of a chariot drawn by horses houses the images of Nataraja in Urdhava Tandava pose, image of Sarabheswara. In this sabhai the Lord is said to have danced with goddess kali, an embodiment energy and established His supermacy.
4. The Deva Sabha is a spacious hall meant for the celebration of important festivals and houses the festival images of the Pancha Murtis (Somaskandar, Parvati, Vinayaka, Subramanya and Chandikeswara) and other deities.
5.The Raja Sabha measuring 103 metres by 58 metres is housed in a 1000 pillared hall in the outermost prakaram. Tradition holds that Sekhizhar did here the arangetram (first recital) of Peria Puranam that details the history of 63 Nayanmars
To be continued in Part - 2 . : check this link:
hindutradition.blogspot.com/2009/01/chidambaram-natarajar-temple-part-2.html
