Thillai Nataraja Temple - Natyanjali Carnival Is Going On Every Year In This Temple Dedicated to Lord Shiva

THILLAI  NATARAJA TEMPLE

AT

CHIDAMBARAM

Thillai Nataraja Temple is one of the most magnificent signatures of Indian architecture and spirituality amalgamating with the cityscape.It is situated in the center of Chidambaram, east-central tamilnadu. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Chidambaram, the iconic bronze Nataraja form. The town derived its name from the deity. 

The temple complex spread over 50 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.

 In Nataraja Temple, there is a deity of Lord Govindaraja Perumal as well, making it one of the few temples where both deities are enshrined in one place. Chidambaram is famous for Nattiyanjali Dance festival which is held here at the temple.

A unique feature 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 anthropomorphic murthi rather than the classic, anionic Lingam.

The Cosmic Dance of Lord Nataraja symbolises the motion of the universe as 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 temple has been traditionally administered by an endogamous group of shiavite brahmins called Dikshitar, who also officiate as its priest.

Chidambaram is also referred to in various works such as Thillai (after the Thillai forest of yore in which the temple is now located), Perumpatrapuliyur or Vyagrapuram (in honour of Saint Vyagrapathar).

The temple is supposed to be located at the Lotus heart of the Universe": Virat hridaya padma sthalam. On the spot where the Lord displayed his dance of bliss, the Änanda Thaandavam - a spot exactly south of the "Thirumoolataaneswar temple", today is the Ponnambalam/ Porsabai (Pon meaning gold, Ambalam/Sabai meaning stage) housing the Lord Shiva in his dancing form. 

The Lord is also hence referred to as the Sabhanayakar, meaning the Lord of the Stage.

Since ancient times, it is believed that this is the place where Lord Shiva and Parvathi are present, but are invisible to the naked eyes of normal people. In the Chidambaram temple of Lord Nataraja, Chidambara Ragasiyam is hidden by a curtain (Maya).

Darshan of Chidambara Ragasiyam is possible only when priests open the curtain (or Maya) for special poojas. People who are privileged to have a darshan of Chidambara Ragasiyam can merely see golden vilva leaves (Aegle Marmelos) signifying the presence of Lord Shiva and Parvathi in front of them.

 It is also believed that devout saints can see the Gods in their physical form, but no such cases have been officially reported.

By Air

The nearest airport is Trichy(195 Km) & Chennai (235Km)

Chidambaram is, well connected by train and bus routes from these places.

By Train

Chidambaram is now connected by train to trichy and other cities of Tamil nadu 

By Road

Frequent buses are available from various places in Tamilnadu ,Andhra, Karnataka to Chidambaram.The best way to reach chidambaram from Chennai is via pondicherry (eastcoast Road).It takes 4 hours by car to reach chidambaram from Chennai.