Thillai Nataraja Temple

Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram or Chidambaram temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the town of Chidambaram, East-Central Tamil Nadu, South India. The temple is known as the foremost of all temples (Kovil) to Saivites and has influenced worship, architecture, sculpture and performance art for over two millennium.

A major shrine of Lord Shiva worship since the classical period, there have been several renovations and offerings to Chidambaram by the Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara and Chera royals in the ancient and pre-medieval periods. The temple as it stands now is mainly of the 12th and 13th centuries, with later additions in similar style.

The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva. The temple has inspired the famous Nataraj form of the Lord, as a cosmic dancer, one that has now become notably famous in Hinduism. Two other forms of Lord Shiva are represented in the temple, as a lingam – the most common representation of Lord Shiva in temples, and as the aether space classical element, represented with empty space and a garland of fifty one hanging golden vilvam leaves.

The sculptures of Chidambaram inspired the postures of Bharatha Natyam.

Chidambaram is one of the five Pancha Bootha Sthalams, the holiest Shiva temples each representing one of the five classical elements; Chidambaram represents akasha (aether).

LEGEND:

According to legend, the Lord Shiva was strolling through the Thillai Vanam, when he saw a group of rishis. The sages believed in magic and believed that the gods could be controlled by magic and rituals. Lord Shiva walked through the forest, disguised as a Bhikshatana ( a mendicant seeking alms), followed by Vishnu disguised as Mohini, his consort. The sages and their wives were enchanted on seing the beautiful and brilliant mendicant and his consort. The sages were enraged on seing their wives enchanted. They sent a volley of snakes, conjured up with magic, on the mendicant. Lord Shiva just laughed and wrapped the serpents on his neck and waist. The sages proceeded to send a feiorce tiger towards the mendicant. Lord Shiva just killed the tiger and donned its skin around his waist. The sages then sent an elephant. This also, the Lord killed. The Sages then finally conjured up the demon, Muyalakan. The Lord simply smiled, stepped on the demons back and immobilized him. The Lord then performed the Anand Tandav on the demon’s back and revealed his true form. The sages bowed down the Lord and realised that the Lord was beyond magic and rituals.