Sri Natarajar Temple , Chidambaram
Introduction
Thillai Nataraja Temple, also known as the Sri Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Nataraja, a famous form of Lord Shiva, who is considered to be a dance guru for the entire universe. This temple is located in Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu. The temple is glorified by the Shaivite Saints in the Shaivite text, Thevaram. Here Lord Shiva is regarded as the master of Bharatanatyam, a popular dance form of India.
The present temple was built during the 10th century by the Cholas, and this temple was well maintained by them. Here Lord Shiva appears in the form of Nataraja, and he is the chief deity of the temple. Here still Lord Nataraja performs the Ananda Tandava ("The Cheerful dance") during the Pradosham, Thiruvadirai and Shivratri festival days, and during those days, celestials like Lord Indra, Kubera and Varuna used to present in this temple, to watch the wonderful divine dance performance of Lord Shiva, but he would not be visible to the eyes of ordinary people like us!
The temple is one of the Pancha Bootha Stalas represented by the sky. It is a site for arts, and most of the Bharatanatyam dancers used to visit this temple at least once in a year, in order to honour their divine guru Lord Shiva.The Nataraja temple is very good in art and architecture, which is now considered to be an important world heritage site.
Though this temple faced few invasions, but miraculously it was prevented due to divine grace! The Chidambaram temple significance was mentioned in the holy text Sri Chidambaram Mahatmya Purana.The Chidambaram temple contains temple tanks within and nearby the temple complex.
There are few wall Inscriptions available in the temple, and from that, we could know about the past incidents of this temple. The Chidambaram temple car is used for processions and during those times, it would be pushed by several thousand of devotees. Chidambara Rahasyam is a popular term, wherein which, people presume that there is some secret about this temple. But actually this term denotes, that when once we stay far away from worldly illusions, the secret about this temple would be revealed.
I have visited this temple during the year 2012, and I am interested to again visit this temple in future.If we think about Arunachala, we would get Mukti, if we die at Kashi, we would get Mukti, and if we say the word, “CHIDAMBARAM NATARAJA”, just for one time, we would surely attain salvation.
SONGS IN PRAISE OF LORD NATARAJA OF CHIDAMBARAM
I humbly offer my prayers to the great dancer Shiva, residing in the holy place, Chidambaram. He is called as Hara (the destroyer) who has destroyed the three cities (Tripura Daganam). He is worshipped by the noble people. While dancing, his wonderful bracelets produce a pleasant sound. He clears our mind for receiving good knowledge. He destroys the cycle of birth and death. He possesses the sweetness of the holy Kadamba tree, wears the blue sky as his garment, and wears the holy snake Vasuki as his ornament. His throat is blue (NEELAKANTESWARA). He is the worshipful god among the learned men, saints, sages, gods, goddesses and demi gods.
I offer my sweet prayers to the great dancer, Shiva, residing in the holy place, Chidambaram. He is the destroyer of our sins, diseases and grants everlasting satisfaction. He is the god of compassion and is endless. He is the god of the gods, but still appears like a mad man (in terms of simplicity).
I offer my wonderful prayers to the great dancer, Lord Shiva, residing in the holy place, Chidambaram, who protects the entire universe, and he is the one who contains the crescent moon on his forehead. His matted hair contains the divine river, Ganga. He is the most auspicious who likes dancing very much, who is capable of destroying the entire universe within a fraction of few seconds.
I offer my wonderful prayers to the great dancer, Lord Shiva, residing in the holy place, Chidambaram. His dancing movements are very wonderful and it was eagerly watched by celestials like Lord Indra, Brahma and Vishnu. His feet are worshipped by the gods, he is the purest among the pure, and he is the one who resides on the hearts of sages. He seems to be delightful on those persons who bow down and praise on him.
“OM SRI CHIDAMBARA NATARAJA SWAMY NAMO NAMAHA”
Sent By
R.HARISHANKAR
