After leaving Airavateshwara Temple, it was raining for a while. By the time we reached the Kollidam old river bridge, the rain had almost stopped. The atmosphere became calm again. We took a pit stop after crossing the barrage cum bridge to explore the area. Kollidam, a distributary of the Kaveri, forms a river island here. Chidambaram temple is just 45 km from this point. We resumed our journey and reached the temple city within an hour.
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| Kollidam River |
Chidambaram Nataraja Temple (Thillai Nataraja Temple)
Spread over 40 acres, this temple is dedicated to Nataraja (lord of dance) form of Shiva. Shiva's consort Parvati as Shivakama/Shivagama Sundari is also here. It is believed that, this temple also has references in sangam literature; but in those days city name was not Chidambaram. Earliest mention of Chidambaram was probably in 7th and 8th century texts. The present temple was built in 10th century when Chidambaram was the capital of early Cholas. It is possible that, Cholas converted/rebuilt a earlier temple here with stone in 10th century. Even the present temple is more than a millennium old. This temple also has shrines for devi, Surya, Ganesha, Murugan, Vishnu etc. and represents Shaktism, Vaishnavism and other Hindu traditions.
The word Chidambaram probably came from the combination chithu + ambaram. Chithu means manasu/mind, consciousness and ambaram means sky/atmosphere.
Like other temples in the region - Srirangam, Madurai etc. - Chidambaram was also raided by Delhi Sultanate. However, the structure was repaired and restored with the rise of Vijayanagar. City and temple also suffered during the fight between British and French colonial forces in India.
By the way this temple also has a thousand pillared mandapa (Raja sabha). Interestingly the sanctum of the temple has a resemblance to Kerala temple styles. The Shiva sanctum here is very unusual as it don't have a linga; instead it has Chit Sabha with an image of Nataraja. After all Chidambaram represents Vayu tatva and formless representation of Shiva. Renowned for art and dance, temple wall also displays 108 karanas from Natya shastra of Bharata Muni.
Chidambaram is one of the five temples where Shiva is in Nataraja form preformed Thandava dance. All five temples are in Tamil Nadu and they are,
1, Ratna Sabha
Located in Vada Aaranyeswarar Temple in Thiruvalangadu. It is believed that, Nataraja performed Kali Tandavam here.
2, Kanaka Sabha
This is located in Chidambaram temple and belief is that, Nataraja performed Ananda Tandavam here.
3, Rajata Sabha
This sabha is in the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple of Madurai. Here Shiva is worshipped as Sundareshvarara and Parvati as Meenakshi. Tandavam type is Sandhya Tandavam.
4, Tamra Sabha
Located in Chepparai Temple of Tirunelveli. Here the form of tandavam is Muni Tandava.
5, Chitra Sabha
This sabha/hall is located at temple Kutralanathar in Courtallam. Tandava form here is Tripura Tandava
If tandava is performed with joy, then it's called Ananda Tandava. If the mood is violent then dance is called Rudra Tandava. Some other types of tandava are - Tripura Tandava, Sandhya Tandava, Samhara Tandava, Kali Tandava, Uma Tandava, Shiva Tandava, Krishna Tandava and Gauri Tandava.
Chidambaram is also considered as one of the five Shiva temple which represents five primary elements.
List of temples under that category are,
1, Ekambareshwar/Ekambaranathar temple, Kanchipuram
This temple covers 25 acres represents the earth aspect. Here Shiva is represented in lingam known as Prithvi lingam. This temple also have thousand pillared hall built during Vijayanagar time.
2, Jambukeshwarar temple, Thiruvanaikaval (near Tiruchirappalli)
Here the sanctum has an underground water stream. Belief is that Parvathi, in the form of Akilandeswari built shivalingam out of water. This temple represents the water aspect and the lingam is known as Appu lingam.
3, Arunachaleshwara temple, Tiruvannamalai
This temple represents fire aspect and the lingam is known as Agni lingam. This temple also have thousand pillared hall built during Vijayanagar time.
4, Srikalahasti, Srikalahasti.
This temple is not in Tamil Nadu but in Andra Pradesh and represents Vayu aspect.
5, Chidamabram
Represents the space.
Once you are in temple don't forget to see below halls,
Chitra Sabhai (the sanctum),
Por Sabhai (hall preceding the sanctum),
Nirutha Sabhai (the chariot shaped hall),
Deva Sabhai (the hall where all the festival deities are housed) and
Raja Sabhai - the thousand pillared hall)
Coming to Nataraja form, what Nataraja idol represents?
Demon under feet signifies that ignorance is under the feet.
Fire in hand- power of destruction- represents the destroyer of evil
Abhaya mudra represents savior of all life forms
The arc of fire called prabhavati signifies the cosmos and perpetual motion.
Drum in hand signifies the origin of life forms.
Lotus pedestal signifies Om believed to be the sound of universe.
Right, left and third eye signifies sun, moon and fire/knowledge respectively.
Right earring (makara kundalam) and left earring (sthri kundalam) signifies the union of man and woman (right is man, left is woman).
Crescent moon in hair means benevolence and beauty.
Flowing of river Ganges through hairrepresents eternity of life.
Dreading of hair and drape means the force of dance
This area of Tamil Nadu is different from other areas of the state. There are a lot of water bodies around. In fact, Pichavaram mangrove area is just 13km away from temple. This time mangroves were not in the plan, however next time it will definitely be. After roaming around the temple for some time, we finally came out and continued towards our next destination.
Sajeev
References
1, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancha_Bhuta_Sthalam
2, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nataraja_Temple,_Chidambaram
3, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancha_Sabhai
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