Complete Guide about Thillai Nataraja Temple
Thillai Nataraja Temple
About Thillai Nataraja Temple
A Hindu temple named Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram or Chidambaram Temple honours Lord Shiva and is situated in Chidambaram, East-Central Tamil Nadu, South India. To Saivites, the temple is regarded as the most important of all temples (Kovil), and for more than two millennia, it has impacted worship, architecture, sculpture, and performance art.
Since the classical era, the Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara, and Chera royals have made several repairs and offerings to Chidambaram, a significant shrine for the worship of Lord Shiva. The current temple dates mostly from the 12th and 13th centuries, with some later modifications in a related style.
Lord Shiva is the temple’s principal deity. The famed Nataraj form of the Lord as a cosmic dancer, which is now widely popular in Hinduism, was inspired by the temple. Two other manifestations of Lord Shiva are depicted in the temple: the lingam, which is the most typical incarnation of the deity in temples, and the classical element of aether, which is symbolised by an empty space and a garland of 51 hanging golden vilvam leaves.
The positions used in Bharatha Natyam were influenced by Chidambaram’s sculptures.
One of the five Pancha Bootha Sthalams, the most sacred Shiva temples, each of which represents one of the five classical elements, is Chidambaram.
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The Story
Legend has it that while walking through the Thillai Vanam, Lord Shiva spotted a group of rishis. The sages believed in magic and thought that magic and rituals might be used to manipulate the gods. In the disguise of a beggar seeking alms, Lord Shiva wandered through the forest, followed by Vishnu in the form of Mohini, his consort. The wise men and their wives were mesmerised by the intelligent and attractive mendicant and his companion. Seeing their wives bewitched infuriated the sages. They used magic to summon a volley of snakes and unleashed them on the beggar. The serpents were wrapped around Lord Shiva’s neck and waist as he chuckled. The sages then sent a fierce tiger in the direction of the wanderer.
The tiger was killed by Lord Shiva, who then wrapped his waist in its skin. Then the Sages dispatched an elephant. The Lord also killed this. The demon Muyalakan was then summoned by the Sages. The demon was rendered immobile when the Lord merely grinned and trod on his back. The demon’s actual form was then revealed after the Lord performed the Anand Tandav on his back. The sages prostrated before the Lord and understood that He was above sorcery and ceremonies.
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