INTRODUCTION TO THE
Deity: Lord Nataraja
Location: Chidambaram, Cuddalore District
DESCRIPTION OF THE
This
MAIN DEITY
The main Deity is placed in the Chit Sabha, and is seen here performing the Ananda Tandava (The Dance of Bliss). The drum in the hand performs the act of Creation, the hand bestowing grace is Benediction, the fire in the other symbolizes Destruction, the leg trampling the dwarf-Liberation and Grace, and the complete form represents Preservation.. This dance also represents the Mantra of the 5 syllables ‘Nama Shivaya’. ‘Unmai Vilakkam’ describes that the syllables represent the feet, lips, shoulder, face and head. The ‘Tiruvasi’ or the ornamental covering encircling the form of Nataraja is said to be Omkara (The sound of OM), also explained in ‘Unmai Vilakkam’.
The Chidambaram Rahasyam is to the right of the Sabha Nayaka in the Chit Sabha, covered by a curtain that is drawn to show the Aarati. There are no images here, and only a golden garland of Bilva leaves is seen. Here the Lord is worshipped in the formless appearance, the empty space signifying the belief that God is present in every aspect of the Universe.
The five leading Nataraja Sabhas are the Kanaka Sabha (Hall of gold) which is here, The Rajata Sabha (Hall of silver) at
OTHER DEITIES
There are many Shrines here, and some of the prominent one’s are-
On the left side of the Sanctum Sanctorum is the beautiful Shrine for Goddess Shivakamasundri and is located on the western side of the sacred tank, the Shiva Ganga. There is a small Shrine for Chitragupta (The account keeper of Yama Dharma Raja- the Lord of Death) and perhaps the only one in the country. The Devi Mahatmya (The Glory of the Goddess) is seen painted on the passage, but because of constant movement of devotees here, is in a damaged state. A granite pillar here is carved with much intricacy that it resembles wood. The idol of the Goddess facing east has eyes radiating grace.
The Mukkuruni Vinayaka Shrine in the southwest corner has a huge Ganesha about 8 feet tall. There is a similar idol of the Lord carved out of a single stone at the
Adjacent to the western Gopuram is the Karapaga Vinayaka. This idol with 7 arms is seen here in a dancing pose. Legend says that Ganesha revealed himself to Sage Duruvasa in this dancing form here.
The Shrine of Balasubramanium is located in the inner side of the western Gopuram. In the ‘Aippasi’ month, a festival called Skanda Shashti is held here and Soora Samhara (Slaying of the Asura) is celebrated in the South Car street.
The Madurai Somasundara Shrine is in the outer circuit. North of this Shrine is the Tirumala Vinayaka Shrine, also known as Orraikal Mandapa Vinayaka.
The enchanting chariot shaped Shrine for Lord Shanmukha has carvings of wheels and elephants. It was erected by a Pandian King, and hence the Deity is known here as Pandaya Nayaga. The idol here has 6 faces and 12 arms, and is seated on His divine peacock and has his consorts, Valli and Devayani on either side.
In the Shrine called Shanmugan Sannadi in the north, also has Dharma Raja (Yama), and to the east from here is the Nava Linga Shrine.
In the Nitya Sabha is the Shrine for Sarabeswara-an aspect of Lord Shiva assumed to subdue the fury of Narasimha. There is a vivid mention of this Form of the Lord in Mantra Shastra.
Next to the Chit Sabha that faces south, is the Shrine of Govindraja Perumal facing east. This is perhaps the only
The 5 Sabhas (halls) are the Chitambalam, Ponnambalam, Perambalam, Nritya Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
The Chitrambalam or the Chit Sabha is the place where Lord Nataraja performs the Ananda Tandava. At Ponnambalam, 6 poojas are done to the Spatika Linga and the sacred bath to the Ratnasabapathy (This is a small idol of Lord Nataraja, and made of precious gems) is performed here.
The Perambalam or the Deva Sabha is the place where the Pancha Moorti (5 Deities are Somaskanda, Shivananda Nayaki, Vinayaka, Subramanium and Chandraeswar) is placed.
Nritya Sabha is the place where the Lord performed the Oordhva Tandava. His image is placed here.
The 1000 Pillar Hall is the Rajya Sabha. During the Ani and Margazhi Festival the Utsav Moorti of Lord Nataraja is taken around. At night the Deity is placed here and is bathed only at dawn.
This
.
FESTIVALS
The
Two grand Festivals are celebrated in a year during the month of Marghazi Tiruvathirai (Dec-Jan) and Ani Uttiram (Jun-Jul).
The Tiruvathirai day is believed to be the favorite day of Shiva.This Festival has been mentioned in the classic literature and Hymns of the four Nayanmars. The unique feature of this 10day festival, is the idol of Manickavachaka (The Tamil Saint who composed Hymns in praise of Lord Shiva (Tiruvachagam) is taken to the Chit Sabha in the morning and evening, and Aarati is performed with the accompaniment of the Hymns of Thiruvembavai.
In the month of Ani the
MONTHLY FESTIVALS
On Chittarai New Year day, Thiruvathirai Star, New Moon and other special occasions the Moorti of Lord Nataraja is bathed in the Shiva Ganga (The Sacred Tank here). Pradhosam, Fridays, Thiruvathirai, Karthigai, New Moon Day, Night Festivals are conducted,on all months of the Tamil calendar
LEGEND
There lived a Sage named Madyandinar who had a son called Maadyandinar. The Sage taught his son all the Vedas and Shastras. To gain more wisdom the Sage told the son to go to the
Maadyandimar reached the forest and started the rituals to the Linga. The flowers which were offered had to be plucked before sunrise, otherwise were spoiled by the bees who drank their nectar and were in the far reaches of the trees. Maadyandimar prayed to Lord Shiva for Divine intervention from this predicament.
Lord Shiva endowed Maadyandimar with the limbs of the Tiger to climb the tall trees and night vision, which enabled him to see the flowers before sunrise. Maadyandimar came to be known as Vyaghrapada ( He who possessed the limbs of the Tiger) and the forest, Vyaghrapuram.
Aadi Shesha the Serpent of Maha Vishnu came to Vyaghrapuram through an underground passage and found Vyaghraprada doing penance near the Shiva Ganga (The Sacred tank in Chidambaram). Aadi Shesha’s earthly name was Patanjali (The one who descended), and had come here to witness the grandeur of Lord Nataraja’s cosmic dance. They both bathed in the Shiva Ganga and at the auspicious time as pretold by the Lord, granted them the visual exuberance of His Cosmic Dance (Ananda Tandava) along with His Consort Shivakami.
According to another legend written in the Nrithya Sabha, one of the halls in
The
In the outer area, at the northern end, is the 100 pillar Mandapam, and the very sacred Shiva Ganga Tank. This perhaps is one of the largest found in any Shiva Sthala and has finely cut steps all around. To the east of the beautiful chariot shaped Shrine of Lord Murugan is the 1000 pillar Mandapam, and this is where all the decorations for Lord Nataraja are done during the Ani and Margazhi festivals.
The 2nd Prakara has the Nritya Sabha. Lord Shiva is said to have danced here with Goddess Kali. This Sabha is shaped like a chariot, and has wheels and horses. The northern area has a granite sculpture representing the holy tree of this Sthala (Thillai Tree). 63 Nayanmars, 26 images of Shiva and the Sree Chakra are painted on the opposite wall. The area of the Chit Sabha (Sanctum Sanctorum) and the Kanaka Sabha is known as the Ponnambalam. 9 golden Kalashas form the crest of the Chit Sabha. They represent the 9 different powers. The Ponnambalam rests on 64 wooden rafters, symbolizing 64 different art forms. The 21,699 tiles is said to be the daily breathe count of man, and the 72,000nails are the Nadis. The idol is placed a little to the left and not in the middle, this is said to represent the position of the human heart. The temple represents the body and the position of the idol, the heart. The 5 pillars indicate the 5 senses.
In the Kanaka Sabha, the 18 pillars symbolize the 18 Puranas; the 5 silver steps, the Panchaakshara and the 96 silver interstices denote the 96 different cults. The 10 pillars of the Brahma Pida are the 6 Shastras and the 4 Vedas. The Pranava and Sadashiva Pidas are installed as per the religious injunctions of the Chidambaram Rahsyam. The Spatika Linga (The white crystal Linga, and one among the 5 Lingas brought by Adi Shankara from Kailkash) that forms the crescent of Shiva’s crown, the gem decked Ratna Sabapathi, Svarnakala Bairavar and the Bali Vinayaka is kept here. To the right of Sabha Nayaka in the Chit Sabha is the Chidambaram Rahsyam.
General information
HOW TO REACH?
Chidambaram is 80 km from Kumbakonam. Buses are also available from
WHERE TO STAY
There are good hotels and lodges available at Chidambaram.
The famous other
1 comment:
bvnbvnv
Post a Comment