Chidambaram Temple

Chidambaram Temple Pictures

The Chidambaram temple, dedicated to Lord Nataraja (Lord Shiva in the form of a cosmic dancer), is a major pilgrimage site for both Shaivites and Vaishnavites since it is one of the few temples where both Shiva and Vishnu have been enshrined.

Walking towards to temple

It is also known Kanaka (Golden) Sabha, one of the five sabhas (Dancing Halls) of Nataraja.

The temple roof has been laid by 21,600 golden tiles inscribed with the words “Sivayanama”. The golden tiles are held together using 72,000 golden nails representing the number of nadis in the human body. The roof has a set of 9 sacred pots or kalasas, representing the 9 forms of energy.

Gopuram

Devotees believe that the holy water of the Siddhamirtham Tank has the power to heal diseases.

Siddhamirtham Tank

Chidambaram is also known as Akasa Sthalam representing ‘Space’ among the Pancha Bootha (Five basic elements) sthalams.

The temple complex spreads over 40 acres in the heart of the city. The temple’s earliest structures were designed and constructed by ancient craftsmen known as Perumtaccan.

Sculpture

The Temples at Kalahasti, Kanchipuram and Chidambaram are along a straight line at 79′ 45″ East longitude – an engineering, astological and geographical wonder!

Sculpture

This temple, one of main shrines of Shiva worship since the classical period, has been through multiplerenovations by the Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara and Chera royals.