The Nataraja Chidambaram

The island of Rameswaram on the Gulf of Mannar is among the major fishing villages in Tamil Nadu. Far more importantly, it really is a key pilgrimage centre for pious Hindus who worship Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu recognized respectively as Shaivites and Vaishnavites.

Most visitors occur to determine the impressive Rameswaram Temple, well-known the globe over for its lengthy and ornate corridors, representing great architectural masterpieces. Rameswaram also boasts of fabulous beaches edging its coral reef waters considerable with exotic marine daily life, producing it a haven for journey seekers.

The temple city of Chidambaram, 58 km south of Pondicherry greets the visitors, with a lovely temple, devoted to Lord Nataraja - Lord Shiva within the enthralling type of a Cosmic Dancer. This really is 1 from the couple of temples, where Shiva and Vishnu are enshrined below 1 roof. Chidambaram can also be known as Thillai, considering that the place was originally a forest of Thillai shrubs. It really is one in the 5 Shaivite mukti sthalams, the opposite 4 being Kalahasti, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai and Tiruvanaikaval. A special function of Chidambaram is the fact that an individual of any race or religion can pay a visit to the shrine and pray.

Location

The city of Chidambaram is situated inside the east-central component of Tamil Nadu state of southeastern India extending 11.24°N and 79.44°E. The city is in the Coleroon River Valley around the Madras-Thanjavur road and rail system.

Environment

The climate of Chidambaram is tropical with mercury touching as much as 37°C inside the summers and around 20°C inside the winters.

History

Chidambaram (also Thillai) practically indicates the sky permeated by an ambiance of intelligence and wisdom. According to legend, it had been once a forest of tillai, a mangrove species of trees. There was when a little shrine on the banks of a tank. The saints Vyagrapada and Patanjali are said to have worshipped at this shrine, now referred to as Thirumoolanathar. It is considered that their penance attained fruition using the revelation of Shiva's cosmic dance by Lord Nataraja on the auspicious Thai Poosam day.

The golden hall of dance was developed and covered with gold plates by Jatavarman Sundra Pandya (advert 1251-1272). He was very proud of his achievement, and as such assumed the title of Hemchandandana Raja (virtually the king who covered the temple with gold).

Pilgrimage Sights

The Nataraja Temple
The temple situated in the centre of the city addresses an region of forty acres. It's 1 in the historic temples of Tamil Nadu. The roof in the sanctum sanctorum is coated with gold plates. The presiding deity in the temple is represented by air, one in the 5 components from the universe and is also called Akasa Lingam. The Eastern tower rises to a peak of 40.8 metres. 108 Bharatha Natyam dance gestures may be observed around the Eatern towers too as Western tower. The Northern tower rises to some peak of 42.4 metres. The Sivakamiamman temple, the Sivaganga tank, the thousand pillar hall are other essential functions of the temple.

Kali Temple
The Thillaikaliamman temple is on the northern end with the town. It had been built by Kopperunjingan, who ruled between 1229 Ad and 1278 Ad.

Viadanatheeswarar Temple
About 25km. south of Chidambaram, Vaitheeswarankoil is well identified for its Viadanatheeswarar Temple, devoted to Shiva and Parvati. Folks occur bathe within the tank waters in the perception that ailments will probably be healed.

Festival at Chidambaram

The Natyanjali festival, which brings all the prominent dancers of India, with each other around the exact same platform, opens on the auspicious occasion of Mahasivaratri, within the month of February. It is carried out at the 'Prakara' of the temple, and also the dancers, filled with intensive bliss and devotion, with their evocative abhinaya, supply their dance towards the fantastic divinity, Lord Nataraja.

How to get there

• Air
  Nearest Airport is Trichy.
  
  
• Rail
  It is connected by rail with Trichy, Madurai, Chennai.
  
  
• Road
  It is also connected with all major towns.