A Short Note on the Thillai Nataraj Temple

People in India worship the Divine in a variety of locations. The Thillai Nataraja of Chidambaram Temple is one of the most enigmatic and well-known temples in South India. This is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, South India. The current temple grounds were constructed in the early 13th century. The Royals of the ancient and mediaeval periods added to and renovated the structure. 

History of the Thillai Nataraja Temple

Thillai Nataraja Kovil is the most important temple for all Saivites. The temple’s original construction was built and maintained by Perumtaccan of the famed Vishwakarma dynasty. 

The Chola monarch, Parantaka I, laid Chidambaram’s golden roof. During those prosperous times, rulers Rajaraja Chola I and Kulothunga Chola I made substantial offerings to the shrine. Kundavai II, Rajaraja Chola’s daughter, provided gold and riches to the temple, while Vikrama Chola made offerings for the daily rites.

Since the Pallavas and Cholas’ reign, the temple has been restored multiple times. Later, donations to the temple were provided by many kingdoms over time, including the Maharaja of Pudukkottai, Sethupathy, and the British. The deity still wears the emerald jewel given by Sethupathy.

There are numerous theories behind the place’s name, Chidambaram. ‘Chid’ is a word that means ‘consciousness,’ while ambaram means ‘sky.’ Thus, ‘Chid-ambaram’ denotes the sky of consciousness that one aims towards.

Architecture of the Thillai Nataraja Temple

The Chidambaram temple is well-known for its architectural and sculptural features. Its main attractions are the temple’s gold-plated gopurams, bronze statues, dancing figures, tanks, and vast halls. This temple was erected as per the standards outlined in the Agamas. 

It features five prakaram (temple precincts), each divided by walls and one within the other. The sanctum Sanctorum is located in the innermost prakaram. The outer prakaram is open to the sky since it lacks a roof. 

The Kanaka Sabha, Cit Sabha, Nritta Sabha, Deva Sabha, and Raja Sabha are the temple’s five principal Halls or Sabhas.

The temple features nine gates, four of which have Gopurams in the East, West, North, and South directions. 

• The Eastern Gopuram/pagoda has all 108 Bharathanatiyam dancing poses. The Pallava King, Koperunsingan II, is said to have built the East Gopuram.
• A Pandya king built the South Gopuram, called the Sokkaseeyan Thirunilai Ezhu Gopuram. This is shown by the carved fishes (Pandya king’s banner) in the ceiling.
• The Western Gopuram, built around 1150, is the smallest Gopuram. Still, there is no proof that this Gopuram was ever built. There are, however, statues representing the Goddess battling the buffalo monster. 
• The North Gopuram was built approximately 1300 AD, with the brick part built in the 16th century by Vijayanagara ruler Krishnadevaraya. 

A silver sculpture of Shiva in his nanda-tava Nataraja aspect lies in the temple shrine. It represents: 

• The demon at Lord Nataraja’s feet represents ignorance at His feet.
• Fire indicates that He is the destroyer of evil.
• The Abhaya or Pataka mudra, where he lifts his hand, represents Him as the rescuer of all living beings.
• The Thiruvashi or Prabhavati, which is an arc of fire, denotes the universe and the earth’s everlasting motion.
• The drum represents the beginning of life.
• Om, the music of the cosmos, is represented by the lotus pedestal.
• His right, left, and third eyes each represent the sun, moon, and fire/knowledge.
• The makara kundalam, which is His right earring, represents man. The sthri kundalam, which is the left earring, represents women. Together, these earrings depict the union of man and woman.
• The crescent moon represents goodness.
• The Ganges river flows through His matted hair. It represents the infinity of life.

Location of the Thillai Nataraja Temple

Thillai Nataraja Kovil is in the town of Chidambaram in the Cuddalore district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located 78 kilometres south of Pondicherry and 250 kilometres from Chennai, the state capital of Tamil Nadu. It is located midway between Chennai and Trichy on the main railway line. 

The location of the Chidambaram Temple is considered to be the centre of the Earth’s magnetic equator. This demonstrates the ancient architects’ technical, topographical, and astrological understanding.

The adjacent Thillai forest inspired the location’s name. These trees can no longer be seen in Chidambaram due to climate change. However, they may be found in the backwaters of Pichavaram, east of Chidambaram. 

This temple is one of the Pancha bootha sthalas, where God is revered as Sky or Aagayam. Other Pancha Bootha sthalas include:

• Kanchipuram’s Ekambareswarar temple (where God is worshipped as Earth).
• Tiruchirapalli’s Jambukeswarar temple (where God is glorified as Water).
• Tiruvannamalai’s Annamalaiyar Temple (where God is glorified as Fire).
• Srikalahasthi’s Kalahasti temple (where God is glorified as Wind).

Conclusion

The Thillai Nataraja of Chidambaram Temple is a Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is the most significant temple for Saivites. The ancient temple has experienced multiple modifications during the rule of several kingdoms. 

The Thillai Nataraja temple is considered an architectural masterpiece that has influenced Bharatnatyam, a traditional Indian dance form.