Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Thillai Nataraja Temple

At a distance of 2 km from Chidambaram Bus Station, Thillai Nataraja Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in Chidambaram town of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the ancient temples in South India, and among the must include places in Chidambaram tour packages. Also referred to as the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple or Chidambaram Temple, the temple is dedicated to Nataraja, the cosmic dance form of Lord Shiva. It is one of the five Panchbootha Sthalas of Lord Shiva, representing the element of space. Chidambaram, the name of the city literally means 'stage of consciousness'.

History of Thillai Nataraja Temple

The temple's origins remain shrouded in some mystery, but historical evidence suggests a Shiva shrine existed at the site well before the 7th century AD, when the town was referred to as Thillai. The Chola dynasty, who revered Nataraja as their family deity, significantly contributed to the temple's construction and enhancement during the 10th century. It was during this period that the Chola king, Parantaka I, established the temple's golden roof. Notable rulers such as Rajaraja Chola I, Kulothunga Chola I, Kundavai II, the daughter of Rajaraja Chola, and Vikrama Chola made considerable offerings to the shrine during its flourishing era.

Following the 10th century, the temple underwent various phases of damage, repair, renovation, and expansion throughout the 2nd millennium. The majority of the temple's existing layout, architectural features, and structural elements date back to the late 12th and early 13th centuries, with subsequent additions made in a similar architectural style. Over the years, numerous kingdoms, including the Viyanagara Rulers, Madurai Nayakas, Maharaja of Pudukkottai, Sethupathy, and even the British, have made donations to the temple. The deity continues to adorn the emerald jewel bestowed by Sethupathy. The temple is now maintained by a community known as the Dikshithars, who are hereditary trustees of the temple.

Mythology of Thillai Nataraja Temple

According to legend, once Shiva wandered into the Thillai forest. At that time, a group of sages resided there, who believed in the power of magic and thought that God could be influenced through rituals and 'mantras,' or sacred words. To test these sages, Shiva took the form of a bhikshuk, a beggar seeking alms, accompanied by his divine consort, Lord Vishnu in the form of Mohini. The sages' wives were captivated by the charm and beauty of the handsome mendicant and his companion. Upon witnessing their wives' fascination, the rishis became furious and unleashed numerous serpents upon the mendicant. Shiva adorned himself with these serpents in his matted hair, around his neck, and at his waist. Subsequently, the sages sent a ferocious tiger, which Shiva skinned and fashioned into a skirt. Ultimately, they dispatched Muyalakan, the demon representing arrogance and ignorance. Lord Shiva stepped onto the demon's back, rendering him immobile, and performed the Ananda Thandava, revealing his true form. The rishis surrender, realizing that this Lord is the truth and he is beyond magic and rituals. Nataraja, in his celestial dance posture, remains venerated in the Chidambaram temple to this day.

Architecture of Thillai Nataraja Temple

Covering an expansive area of 40 acres, the Lord Nataraja Temple stands as a remarkable testament to the brilliance of Chola architecture. This site holds considerable scientific significance as it is positioned at the world's Magnetic Equator. The temple complex is embedded inside four prakarams (courtyards), each surrounded by walls. There are nine prominent gopurams that link the various courtyards. Within the complex, numerous shrines are dedicated primarily to Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism. The innermost structures, including the sanctum and the shrines, are designed with square layouts, and the roof of the sanctum sanctorum is adorned with gold plates.

The sanctum of the temple is set inside the innermost 1st prakara, and is unusual as it does not have a Shivalinga, rather it has the Chit Sabha (consciousness gathering) with an image of Nataraja. The temple is famous for the 'Chidambara Rahasya', where the deity is believed to be hidden behind a curtain, representing the formless, universal aspect of Shiva. It consists of two layers, one red and the other black, symbolizing 'enlightenment within, illusion outside,' as noted by George Michell. This is replaced on the tenth day of the principal festivals.

The temple's presiding deity is symbolized by the sky, one of the five fundamental elements of the universe, and is referred to as Akasa Lingam. This temple is one of only five locations where the deity is depicted as an idol rather than a lingam, showcasing his dance. Shiva is portrayed as Nataraja, performing the Ananda Tandava ('Dance of Delight') within the golden hall or Chit Sabha of the shrine known as Pon Ambalam or Por Sabha. In addition to Chidambaram, which features the Por sabhai, there are four other significant sabhas - the Rathina (Ruby/Red) sabha located in Thiruvaalangadu, the Chitra (Painting) sabhai at Courtallam, the Rajatha (Silver) sabha at the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, and the Thaamira (Copper) sabha at the Nellaiappar Temple in Tirunelveli. The temple's wall carvings depict all 108 karanas from the Natya Shastra, authored by Bharata Muni, which serve as the foundational postures for Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form.

The Govindaraja Shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu is found inside the sanctum of the temple in its southwest corner. This shrine is part of the 108 Divya Desams, which are sacred to Lord Vishnu and were celebrated by the Alwars, the saint poets of the Vaishnava tradition from the 7th to 9th centuries. Shivakama Sundari shrine, dedicated to Parvati is situated within the third prakara. The Nataraja Temple also contains several other shrines, including a pre-13th-century Surya shrine, a Subrahmanyar shrine, and a Ganesha shrine. The temple complex features multiple water tanks, with the Shivaganga sacred pool being the largest, designed in a rectangular shape.

The temple comprises five principal Halls or Sabhas: the Kanaka Sabha, the Chit Sabha, the Nritta Sabha, the Deva Sabha, and the Raja Sabha. The Chit Sabha and the Kanaka Sabha are situated within the sanctum area of the Nataraja shrine. The Nritta Sabha, a hall supported by 56 pillars, is located in the southern section of the second courtyard and is traditionally regarded as the venue where Shiva and Kali engaged in a dance competition. Shiva triumphed with the urdhva-tandava pose, which involved raising his right leg straight up, a posture that Kali refused because she was a woman. Although the current structure has 50 pillars, historical evidence indicates that it may have originally featured 56 or more. These pillars are elaborately carved from top to bottom, with the lower sections showcasing dancers in Natya Shastra mudras, accompanied by expressive musicians, creating an atmosphere of joy in music and dance. The Deva Sabha is home to the temple's esteemed collection of historic bronze sculptures and modern era frescoes. Raja sabha or the 1000 Pillars Hall, and Shatasila sabha, or the 100 Pillars Hall in the third courtyard are closed to public.

Festivals of Thillai Nataraja Temple

The Thillai Nataraja Temple, located in Chidambaram, is the site of numerous festivals throughout the year. Notable celebrations include Maha Shivaratri in February or March, Aani Thirumanjanam in June or July, Margazhi Thiruvaadhirai in December or January, and Arudra Darshanam, also in December or January. Another significant festival of CHidambaram Temple is the annual Natyanjali Dance Festival, which honors Lord Nataraja, the cosmic dancer form of Lord Shiva. This festival, organized by the Natyanjali Trust in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department, takes place each year in February or March and features a variety of performances representing different Indian classical dance styles.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions of Thillai Nataraja Temple

The Chidambaram Nataraja Temple enforces a strict dress code for all visitors. Men are required to wear dhotis or long trousers along with shirts, while women are encouraged to don Sarees, Salwar Kameez, or other traditional garments that sufficiently cover their shoulders and legs. Attire such as jeans, shorts, skirts, and sleeveless tops should be avoided. The temple authorities offer dhotis and sarees for rent at a minimal charge.

While non-Hindus are generally allowed to visit the Chidambaram Temple to appreciate its architectural splendor and tranquil environment, they are typically prohibited from entering the sanctum sanctorum to perform pujas, as this area is considered a sacred space for Hindu worship.

Thillai Nataraja Temple Timings

Monday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 5 PM - 10 PM
Tuesday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 5 PM - 10 PM
Wednesday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 5 PM - 10 PM
Thursday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 5 PM - 10 PM
Friday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 5 PM - 10 PM
Saturday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 5 PM - 10 PM
Sunday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 5 PM - 10 PM

Thillai Nataraja Temple Entry Fee

General Entry is Free
Special Darshan available for Rs. 100

Best Time to Visit Thillai Nataraja Temple

Chidambaram experiences a tropical climate with hot and humid weather, making the winter months from October to March, the most comfortable for visiting the Thillai Nataraja Temple. The annual Arudra Darshanam festival, held in December and January, along with the Natyanjali Dance Festival in February and March, offers a remarkable opportunity to immerse oneself in the temple's lively ambiance, drawing thousands of devotees. It is advisable to avoid visiting the temple in the peak summer months from April to June, as temperatures can rise significantly, complicating outdoor activities.

How to Reach Thillai Nataraja Temple

The closest airport to Chidambaram is situated in Trichy, and Chennai, approximately 156 kilometers & 212 Km away. Chidambaram is positioned along the Southern Railway's Madras-Trichy main line, providing connectivity to Trichy, Chennai, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Bangalore, Villupuram, Mayiladuturai, Thanjavur, and Tirupati. Additionally, Chidambaram enjoys robust bus services linking it to Chennai, Trichy, Rameshwaram, Pondicherry, Madurai, Bangalore, and Villupuram. The temple, located about 2 kilometers from the center of Chidambaram, can be accessed via cab or auto-rickshaw from these locations.