Thillai Nataraja Temple Chidambaram – holy panchabhootha sthalams

Thillai Nataraja Temple, history and architecture

Thillai Nataraja Temple, is located at chidambaram of tamilnadu state is one of the ancient shiva temples in south india. Nataraja posture of lord shiva represents the dancing appearance of lord shiva, this temple showing the massive excellence of the architects from dravida. this huge temple is an identity of indian culture and the heritage of india. according to hindu mythology Thillai Nataraja Temple represents the one of the panchabhoothams, the shaiva spirit as the prime deity represents the sky, which means the temple holds the aksha. the temple architecture was mainly contribute by the chola and pallava emperors.

The temple is spread an area about 5acres at the heart of chidambaram city, chidambram means the sky of consciousness, the temple dedicate to lord sshiva nataraja and govinda raja pperumal as lord vishnu, this is a uniqueness because there is less worship lord shiva and vishnu together in the same temple. 10th day margazhi festival is the main festival of the temple which usually comes in december or january, the festival initiated by flag hoisting. night festivals are celebrated in the first day of all months. the temple is open from 6.00am to 12.30 pm and from4.30pm to 10.00 pm every year.

Thillai Nataraja Temple is the fifth largest temple in India by Its area. the sangam classics refer to viduvelvidugu. the temple has nine gateways and four of these have towering with gopurams to all all directions. the eastern pagoda has all the 108 postures of the indian dance form which sculptured on it. there are many sub deities occupied at the temple including the saints patanjali and the vyagrapathar they are commonly known as Thirumoolattaneswarar and his wife parvathy as uma devi. there are 63 shrines of lord shiva. there are also space for muruga and vinayaka.