Chidambaram Temple (Tamil Nadu)

The temple belongs to the Deekshitars, Smarta
Hindus who have performed many yajñas. Inside
the premises, only qualified persons are permitted
to recite the Vedas and mantras in Sanskrit.

Chidambaram Temple (Tamil Nadu) Hindu Temples

Chidambaram Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the heart of the temple town of Chidambaram, 58 km south of Pondicherry in Cuddalore District, the east-central part of the Tamil Nadu state of southeastern India. Chidambram temple surpasses the limits of architectural wonders and the architects should be eulogized for sculpting this architectural masterpiece. The sangam classics refer to certain viduvelvidugu perumtaccan as being the architect of the temple at that point of time. There have been several renovations down the line particularly during the days of Pallava/Chola emperors in ancient and pre-medieval periods.

In Hindu literature, Chidambaram is one of the five holiest Shiva temples, each representing one of the five natural elements - space. The other four temples in this category are: Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara (water), Kanchi Ekambareswara (earth), Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara (fire) and Kalahasti Nathar (wind).

Temple

The Chidambaram Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva (Siva) in His form of the Cosmic Dancer, Nataraja , is a temple complex spread over 40 acres in the heart of the city. It 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. The Pallava king Simhavarman, is a well known renovator of this temple. He also known as Hiranyavarman who lived in the 5th century C.E. It is one of the few examples of Dravidian architectural and sculptural styles built up over the centuries including that built by the Cholas.

To the followers of Shaivism (Saivism) or the saivaite, the very word koil refers to Chidambaram. In the same way, to the followers of Vaishnavism it refers to Srirangam or Thiruvarangam.

The word Chidambaram may be derived from chit, meaning "consciousness", and ambaram, meaning "sky" (from aakasam or aakayam); thus it refers to the chidaakasam, the sky of consciousness, which is the ultimate aim one should attain as mentioned by all the Vedas and scriptures. Another theory is that it is derived from chit + ambalam. Ambalam means "stage" (for performing arts). The chidakasam is the state of supreme bliss or aananda and Lord Natarajar is the symbolic representation of the supreme bliss or aananda natanam. Saivaites believe that a visit to Chidambaram leads to liberation.

Yet another theory is that it is derived from the word chitrambalam, from chithu meaning "play or dance of God" and ambalam meaning "stage".One of the special features of this temple is the bejeweled 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 idol rather than a Lingam. The Cosmic Dance of Lord Nataraja symbolises the motion of the universe is sustained by Lord Shiva. The temple has five courts. Aragalur udaya Iraratevan Ponparappinan alias Vanakovaraiyan rebuilt the Siva temple at Chidambaram around 1213 AD. The same Bana Chief also built Tiruvannamalai temple.

The temple belongs to the Deekshitars, Smarta Hindus who have performed many yajñas.Inside the premises, only qualified persons are permitted to recite the Vedas and mantras in Sanskrit. No outsider or recitation in any other language, including Tamil, is entertained. This is a subject of great controversy currently. In 2008, a very controversial legal case of singing 'Devaram' was completed. The court provided the judgement that "Tamil Devaram could be sung within the temple premises". Following this judgement, the Tamil Saivaites have begun singing Devaram within the premises (with considerable opposition from the Deekshitars).

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