SRI THILLAI NATARAJA TEMPLE,
CHIDAMBARAM,
CUDDALORE DISTRICT,
TAMIL NADU, INDIA
அருள்மிகு
உமாயாம்பிகை சமேத தில்லை நடராஜப்பெருமான் திருக்கோயில்,
சிதம்பரம், கடலூர் மாவட்டம், தமிழ் நாடு
"The Lord of Dance -
Sri Nataraja dances
in a blissful state and this dance is called
"Ananda Taandava, Lord Shiva danced to fulfill the wishes of Sri Patanjali Muni
and
Sri Vyagrapatha Rishi
"
Compiled and presented by Eshwar Gopal
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Main Deity | Sri Nataraja (Lord Shiva)\ |
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Temple tree |
Thillai
(Botanical name
Exocoeria agallocha) |
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| Goddess |
Sri Umayambikai aliaise Sivakamasundari |
Theertham |
Shiva Ganga and Paramananda Khoobam |
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| Specialty | Lord Shiva dances in blissful state | District | Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu | |||||
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Worshipped and Sung by |
Sampandhar, Appar,
Sundarar, Manickavachagar |
Glory | Lord Shiva blesses in three forms | |||||
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The temple is surrounded by huge walls with five big Gopurams or the Tower and a Big tank called Shivaganga tank measuring 175x100 feet in the North. The North Gopuram is the oldest and North and South Gopurams are 160 feet high. The 108 dance postures are sculpted in adherence to Natya Sastra in these towers. It has five principal Sabhas or Stages such as Kanakasabha, Chit Sabha, Nirtya Sabha, Deva Sabha and Raja Sabha. The Lord of the Universes is enshrined in Chit Sabha.
The Nritya Sabha, which is richly sculpted in the form of a chariot drawn by horses houses the images of Nataraja in Urdhava Tandava pose, image of Sarabheswara. The Deva Sabha is a spacious hall meant for the celebration of important festivals and houses the festival images of the Pancha Murtis (Somaskandar, Parvati, Vinayaka, Subramanya and Chandikeswara) and other deities. The Raja sabha measuring 103 metres by 58 metres is housed in a 1000 pillared hall in the outermost prakaram. Tradition holds that Sekhizhar recited the Peria Puranam here. The images of the Shaiva saints Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar and Manikkavachakar are placed in the temple entrances through which they entered the temple (Appar - West, Sambandar - South, Sundarar - North and Manikkavachakar - East). The shrine for Govindaraja Perumal and serves as unity of Vaishnavism and Shaivsm, it is said that Lord Vishnu, in reclining posture, watches the beauty of Shiva dancing in Ananda Thaandava. The Vinayaka idol blowing a conch. The huge Ganesha in the outer prakara considered to be one of the biggest in India. The temple of Shivakami as Goddess Parvathi in the outer prakara, with its beautiful architecture with sculptural beauties. Lord Subramania temple next to the Goddess temple. Durga temple adjacent to this. The embossed images of the Saints Vyagrapada and Patanjali are carved in the doors. Both these saints were blessed with the sight of the rare cosmic dance of Shiva. Lord Vishnu too is said to have witnessed this scene. The images of Ratnasabhapathi (Nataraja of Ruby), the Spatika Linga of Chandramuleeswara, Swarnakarshana Bhairava, Mukhalingam are found in Chitsabha. In the Kanaka Sabha (Golden Hall) lying adjacent to Chit Sabha, poojas are offered. The nine gateways indicate the nine orifices in human structure. The Chitsabha at the sanctum sanctorum represents the heart and Chidamabaram is considered the heart of universe. There is a five silver steps leading to God's abode signifying Si VA Ya Na Ma in Kanakasabha. The access to the Sabha is through the sides of the stage, there are 28 pillars in the Ponnambalam or the Golden Hall - indicating 28 Agamas or set of worship of Lord Shiva. The roof is held by a set of 64 beams representing the 64 forms of art and is held by several cross beams meaning innumerable blood vessels. The roof has been laid by 21,600 golden tiles with the word SIVAYANAMA inscribed on them representing 21600 breaths. The roof is topped by a set of nine sacred pots of copper (Kalasams) this represents nine forms of energy. Consecration is commemorated once in 12 years, signifying the change of ingredients inside the copper pots (this is said to contain thunderstorm). The temple car of Chidambaram is one of the finest art piece and example of temple car making. This is drawn twice a year by several devotees during festivities one on Aani (July) and during Ardhra Darshan - during December. RULERS' CONTRIBUTIONS
The old rulers had patronized the
temples and it was always their agenda to build, expand and
maintain. We derive lot of inferences from literature and
poetry, copper plate sculptors as to their enormous contribution.
We learn fro We also notice from inscriptions that the great Chola King Kochengan was born after his father king Subhadevan and Kamaladevi worshipped in Thillai (chidambaram) golden hall. Thiss hows that the temple existed thousands of years before Christ. Pallava Kings, Simmavarman made significant contributions to the upkeep of temple. The temple architecture - particularly of the sanctum sanctorum and its roof does not adhere to any of the other temples architecture of Cholas, Pandyas or Pallavas. This has, to some extent, certain similarities with the Cheras, but Cheras came to be known only after the 12th Century AD. DYNASTIES's CONTRIBTUIONS.... Rajaraja Chola (985-1014 AD), who gave the masterpiece of Big Temple in Tanjore, Rajendra Cholan - who duplicated similar temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram (1012-1044 AD), Kulothunga Cholan I (1070-1120), Vikrama Chola I (1070-1120 AD, Vikrama Chola 1118-1135 AD, Rajathiraja Chola 1178-1218, Rajararaja II (1216-1256AD). Cholas contributed golden tiles to the roof of Chitsabha by Paranthaka I and significance contributions have been given by Rajaraja, Kundavai, Vikrama Chola. Pandya Kings : Thribhuvanachakravarthi Veerapandiyathevan, Jatavarman Thribhunvanavakravarthi Sundarapandiyan (1251-1268 AD), Maravarman Kulasekarathevan 1268-1308 AD). They constructed the South Gopuram, as evidenced from sculpture work of Fish emblem on the ceiling. Jadavarman Pandyan constructed the West Gopuram. Pallava Kings - Alapiranthan Kopperunjingathevan (1216-1242AD). He has renovated the South Gopuram after it was originally done by Pandyas. This is named after him "Kopperunjingan seven tier gopuram". The East Gopuram was the first to be constructed by Second Kopperunjingan and subsequently repaired by philanthropist Pachaiappa Mudaliar and his wife Iyalammal. There is a trust under his name even today to take care of varieties of rituals and maintenance of teple car. Viajayanagara Kings: Krishna Devaraya 1509-1529 AD, Veerapradhaba Venkata Devakaraya, Sriranga Devamakaraya, Achuthdha Devamakaraya (1529-1542AD), Veerabhoopathirayar. The North Gopuram was constructed by Vijayanagara King. Cheras : Descendants of Cheramaan Perumal Nayanar Ramavarma Maharaja. Besides the above rich donations have been extended by various Kings, Rules, Patrons, Philanthropist, Religious personalities to the temple. It is said Maharaja of Pudukottai Shri. Sethupathy had given Emerald jewel which is still adored at the deity. LORD VISHNU Inside the Chidambaram temple complex there is shrine dedicated to Govindaraja Perumal and Pundareegavalli Thaayar (Mahalakshmi). This is one of the 108 Divya Kshethram or important Abodes of God Vishnu sanctified by Alwars (Servitors of Lord Vishnu) and sung by holy hymns of Nalayara Divyaprabhandam). Devotees can worship both Lord Vishnu and Lord Nataraja standing at one point. CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM As Lord Shiva is the manifestation of both formless and form and He is worshipped in these forms here, it is believed the Lord is dancing continuously with His special "Ananda Thaandava" with His Consort Shivagami and is represented by a Yantra on the wall of an empty space in the Sanctum Sanctorum of the temple. There is a black screen, which is considered to cover Akasha Lingam (actually there is no Lingam but we are made to believe that there is an invisible Lingam, reeals strands of golden Bilva leaves hung to indicate Lord's presence. This indicate that there is everything in nothing. |
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A group of Saints resided in the Thillai forests who believed in the supremacy of magic and GOD can be reached by invoking sheer rituals or through vibrations of 'mantra'. The Lord strolls around the forest, radiating brilliance and beauty, assumed the form of 'Pitchandanar', a nude mendicant seeking alms. The Rishis and their wives are mesmarized by the brilliance and beauty of the handsome mendicant and His Consort. On seeing their wives fall prey to His brilliance, they invoke scores of serpents through magic, the Lord, under the guise of mendicant, lifts the serpents and dons them as ornaments on His matted locks, neck, waist, ear-rings. The Rishis, driven to the corner, invoke a fierce tiger, which the Lord at once wear it around His waist. Having defeated and dethroned of victory, they invoke a powerful demon "Muyalakan' a symbol of complete arrogance and ignorance (He can be spotted under the Foot of Sri Nataraja). Sporting a gentle smile, steps on the back of demon, stuns him and performs the Dance of Bliss (Ananda Thaandava), later Rishis surrender to Him, understands the real power of GOD. Vyagrapatha Muni and Patanjali
Another L He faced a unique dilemma. He used to pluck flowers before dawn and felt that plucking flowers after sunrise delays his daily pooja routine and bees draw nectar from flowers, thus making the flowers unsuitable for Lord's submission. He continued his routine despite the lingering ache. He Prayed to the Lord with his grievances saying, "Oh Lord, I am not able to pluck flowers before dawn as I am not able to see, neither I am able to pluck after the dawn as it becomes unsuitable for pooja". He was instantly blessed by the Lord with the power of eyes wherein he can see in dark and able to climb up the tree (like the Tiger). Hence, he came to be called as Vyaagrapatha (Vyaagra - Tiger, Paatha = Foot) or "Pulikkal Muni" in Tamil. He was very much happy and continued his pooja, according to Sthala Purana. The Ananda Thaandava (Dance of Bliss) Adhisesha, the serpent who serves as a bed for the Lord, in his manifestation as Vishnu, yearns to see. The Lord blesses Him, beckons him to assume the saintly form of 'Patanjalai Maharshi' an sends him to the Thillai forest, informing him that He will display the dance in due course. Patanjali reaches Thillai forest, performs poojas and after severe austerities, he is joined with another saitn, Vyagrapathar and Lord Nataraja dances to their sight and it is believed that this Dance took place during Jan-Feb - Tamil day of Pushya star. |
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Dikshithars - The Priests-cum-administrators of this temple The oldest hierarchy of Brahmin priests who administer the temple upkeep and rituals are called Dikshitars; they are unique different from other Tamil Brahmins, they are considered to descend from oldest Pancha-Dravida-Brahmins (Choliyas). They were originally 3000 as we derive inferences from historical records; 'Thillai Moovayiram' (in Tamil). They believe three thousands were appointed to take care of the temple and take pride in boasting descendants of Sri Patanjali Muni the writer of Yoga Sutra, Natyasashtra and Vyagrapatha Muni. It is commonly believed that there were only 2999 and Lord Shiva Himself is 3000th. This is the reason that they take the share from the temple income and run their families as they feel Lord Shiva is one among them and generally, it is a taboo to use Lord Shiva's assets/income. They consider themselves as Slaves of Lord Nataraja, the keepers, guardians, the devotees and worshippers; even when the sanctum is closed they keep chanting Mantras sitting outside the door. They never part Him. It is also recorded that their numbers dwindled to today's 300 due to invasion and many said to have sacrificed. They divide their duties among themselves and all take turn and discharge responsibilities in small groups, it ranges from performing rituals at the sanctum sanctorum, chanting of VEDAS, ringing bells, lighting lamps, carrying offerings, cleaning etc. Only married man can be a Dikshitar. Every married man has a share in the temple income and the temple is run by donations and funds from philanthropists. This prompts them to enter into child marriages among them. They do not marry outside the clan. In the past temple income dwindled to a great extent, however, Dikshitars have gone without food but not compromised on the daily routine expenditure of their beloved Lord. Well-being of the Lord is utmost important for them than their own. Sundarar - the great servitor of Lord Shiva, in his poem Thiruthondarthogai (Cluster of Shiva's Slaves) pays tribute to the priests. Besides Sundarar, Saints ThirugnyAna Sampanthar, Appar (Thirunavukkarasar), Manicka Vachagar and other Nayanmars, Vaishnavite Alwars (Saints) paid rich praise on them. |
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Unlike other temples where there are two Murthis, one in Sanctum and another for procession, here both Processional Deity and the Moolavar (Sanctum) are one. |
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TEMPLE TIMINGS AND CONTACT DETAILS |
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TRAIN book your ticket through internet----->
http://www.irctc.co.in
or
www.southernrailway.org
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PRADOSHAM WISHES YOU A HAPPY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY.......OM NAMAH SHIVAYA... |
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Uploaded on 03.03..2008 - for all other enquiries on Temples - please write to webeditor@pradosham.com - Top |
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The temple is regularly maintained and
every 12 years in general major repairs and renovation works are
carried out and consecration takes place. This temple dedicated to
Nataraja blends piety, tradition, history and art to an outstanding
level. The art and architectural lavished on the temple is
just remarkable.
m Sangam literature that erstwhile Cholas were great
devotees of this ancient temple, took pride in boasting
contributions, the Dikshitars (temple priests) had the right to
perform 'Pattabhishekam' to Cholas.
.
egend
says the Great Maharshi Vashista's relative Madhyanthi Muni was blessed with a
son named Maadhyanthi. He was advised to go Thillai (Chidambaram) forest and
worship the Swayambu (self-raised) Shivalingam when he sought to unearth mystery
of world and self-realization. He came to Thillai forest and begun to
perform daily worship of the Lord there.
