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Chidambaram Natrajar Temple is located in the temple town of Chidambaram,
60 km north of Karaikal in Cuddalore District, the east-central part of
the Tamil Nadu state. It is dedicated to Shiva Nataraj, in the enthralling
form of a Cosmic Dancer. An exquisite example of Dravadian architecture,
the temple is one of the oldest temple complexes in the south India. Along
with temples to Vishnu, Parvati, and Ganesh, the complex covers an area
of 40 acres. Chidambaram temple is one of the few temples where both the
Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities are enshrined in one place.
In Tamil sacred geography, one of the three major energy
pathways in the human body i.e Susumna Nadi runs through Chidambaram,
ending at the power spot of the temple. One of the major pilgrimage destinations
in Tamil Nadu, the temple is founded in the Chola Era.
The magnificent gold roofed temple is situated within a
quadrangle of enclosure walls surrounded by four broad 'chariot' streets
used for chariot festivals at various times throughout the year. The four
gopuras are considered as the finest of the Chola period and Sages, guardians
and attendants are adorned on all the Gopuras. Among them, the North and
South ones being about 45 m high. The towers are divided into seven diminishing
storeys each covered with brick and plaster sculptures. The towers are
capped by vaulted roofs with arched ends. The North Gopura has an inscription
which shows that it was built by the Vijaynagar King Krishna Deva Raya.
On entering through this gate one can see in front and
to the right a large rectangular Sivaganga tank. Two shrines standing
within an independent walled compound are located in the northwest corner
of the enclosure. A spacious paved court is reached after passing through
the Gopuras. In the temple complex, there are temples dedicated to Subramanya
and the 12th century Shivakumusundari Shrine dedicated to Parvati the
wife of Shiva. At the south end of this outer compound, there is a shrine
to Ganesh.
One can enter the main temple through the Eastern gate, the oldest gopura.
The 108 poses of Bharathanatyam classical dance are carved on the walls
of eastern tower. The space inside has been filled with colonnades,
passageways, which are used to stone images used in processions and sub
shrines many dating from the 19th century. The temple has five sabhas
known as Kanakasabha, Chit sabha, Nritya sabha, Deva sabha and Raja sabha.
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