Chidambaram Nataraja|Nataraj

Golden Roof of Chidambaram Nataraj Temple

Nataraj Of Chidambaram

Nataraj - Ananada Thandavam

Lord Shiva in his manifestation of formlessness is worshiped in Chidambaram. According to Shivaits Puranas when the Lord Shiva was in a happy blissful mood he took the form of Nataraja (Nataraj). He continuously dances in a state of eternal bliss "Aananda thaandava", with his consort Sakthi or energy called Sivagami, the other form of him. In the course of ‘Anantha Thandava’ he took several other forms and created this Universe. He does this dance even now and takes new forms.

Chidambarm Nataraj and Chidambara Rahasiyam

A curtain covers this space which when drawn reveals strands of golden ‘Vilva’ leaves hung to indicate the Lord’s presence. The curtain is dark on its exterior side (indicating ignorance) and bright red on the interior side (indicating wisdom and bliss).

The word Chidambaram derived from chit, meaning "consciousness", and ambaram, meaning "sky" (from aakasam or aakayam). It refers to the chidaakasam, the sky of consciousness, which is the ultimate aim one should attain according to all the Vedas and scriptures.

During the daily rituals, the Chief priest, parts the curtain, indicating the withdrawal of ignorance and reveals the space, and the Lord’s presence.

The Chidambara Rahasya, is hence representative of that time when one, in total surrender, allows God to intervene and remove our ignorance, even as we get to 'see and experience' His presence and hence – bliss.

In Hindu literature, Chidambaram is one of the five holiest Shiva temples representing five natural elements; Chidambaram is space.

Dikshitar, the priests of the temple are also called the 'Thillaivaazh Andhanar'. Dikshitar, meaning the priests who reside in Thillai and administer the worship and management of the Chidambaram temple, are considered the foremost amongst the devotees (Arupathu Mover) of the Lord Siva.


Chidambaram temple is an ancient and historic temple dedicated to Lord Shiva Nataraja and Lord Govindaraja Perumal, one of the few temples where both the Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities are enshrined in one place.

A unique feature of this temple is the image of Nataraja. It depicts the Lord Shiva as the Lord of the dance Bharatanatyam and is one of the few temples where Shiva is represented by an anthropomorphic murthi rather than the classic, anionic Lingam. The Cosmic Dance of Lord Nataraja symbolises the motion of the universe as sustained by Lord Shiva.


The Ananda Thaandava Of Nataraj

Beautiful Sculpture of Nataraj

In the Thillai forests resided a group of saints or 'rishis' who believed in the supremacy of magic and that God can be controlled by rituals and 'mantras' or magical words. The Lord strolls in the forest with resplendent beauty and brilliance, assuming the form of 'Pitchatanadar', a simple mendicant seeking alms. He is followed by his Grace and consort who is Lord Vishnu as Mohini. The rishis and their wives are enchanted by the brilliance and the beauty of the handsome mendicant and his consort.

On seeing their womenfolk enchanted, the rishis get enraged and invoke scores of serpents by performing magical rituals. The Lord as the mendicant lifts the serpents and dons them as ornaments on his matted locks, neck and waist. Further enraged, the rishis invoke a fierce tiger, which the Lord skins and dons as a shawl around his waist.

Thoroughly frustrated, the rishis gather all their spiritual strength and invoke a powerful demon Muyalakan - a symbol of complete arrogance and ignorance. The Lord wearing a gentle smile, steps on the demon's back, immobilizes him and performs the Ánanda Thaandava (the dance of eternal bliss) and discloses his true form. The rishis surrender, realizing that this Lord is the truth and he is beyond magic and rituals.

A Nataraj Sculpture

Legends say that Lord Shiva displayed his dance of bliss (the Aananda Thaandavam) to Pathanjali and Vyagrapathar. Sage Pathanjali wrote Suthras, the methods ways to perform Raja Yoga.


Temple complex spread over 40 acres (160,000 m2) in the heart of the city. It is one of the few examples of Dravidian architectural and sculptural styles built up over the centuries.

Chidambaram Temple

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 the Indian dance form – Bharathanatyam sculpted on it.
Bharathanatyam dancers consider Chidambaram Nataraj as their invisible Guru. Every year dancing festival is conducted in the temple complex. Eminent dancers participate in the function.

Video on Chithambaram Nataraj. Thanks to Rajathikshithar.