CHIDAMBARAM

Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu lies 58 kms. south of Pondicherry. One of the holiest sites in South India, it is the site where Lord Shiva performed the tandava or the cosmic dance. Lord Shiva, known here as Nataraja, is the presiding deity.

 The Sabhanayaka Nataraja Temple (daily 4.30-10.00pm) was built by the Chola rulers. The Shivaganga tank is the site of 7 natural springs. The largest building in the complex is the Raja Sabha known as the thousand-pillared hall. The reliefs of dancing figures in the temple underline Chidambaram. The innermost Govindaraja shrine is dedicated to Vishnu- a surprise in a Saivite environment.

The most sacred part of the temple is the Kanaka Sabha and the Chit Sabha, which houses the bronze images of Lord Nataraja and his wife Shivagamasundari. Behind the deity is a curtain sacred to Shiva which demarcates the most potent area of all.

Within it lies the Akashalingam known as the RAHASYA OR SECRET. The Lingam stands for ether and hence is invisible. The underlying meaning being that, we do not have to look for God elsewhere, but within ourselves.

Back