Life of Deekshithar

According to mythology, Saint Patanjali brought this class of Vaideeka Brahmins from Mount Kailas for them to perform the daily rituals and care for the Chidambaram temple. Any married man in the Deekshithar family might take turns acting as the chief priest for the day and participating in the rites at the temple.

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Since the beginning of time, the Podu Dikshitars of the Chidambaram temple have served as both its Archakas(priests) and Trustees. The Body of Podu Dikshitars effectively runs the Chidambaram temple by their long-standing, first documented temple constitution from 1849. Only after marriage does a Dikshitar acquire the right to perform sacramental service to Lord Nataraja and take part in temple administration.

The Dikshitar who thereby participates wouldn't face prejudice based on their age, level of education, aptitude, or income. The Dikshitars would be on duty at the temple in groups of 20, and each group would stay for 20 days until each had conducted the full tour of puja at each of the temple's several shrines.

If one were to search the globe for a community or sect or clan that for more than 20 centuries has done the same religious, social, and cultural activities and has been based in the same place throughout the 2000 years, one would not find such a community elsewhere. Till recently, Chidambaram town was known as Tillai; Chidambaram was the name of the temple. Since the beginning, the Podu Dikshitars, also known as the Tillai Vaazh Antanar or "the Brahmins of Tillai," have been linked to the temple. Tillai Moovayiravar, or "The Three Thousand Brahmins of Tillai," was the other name for this unusual clan, which at one time numbered three thousand members. Lord Nataraja, the patron deity of the Chidambaram Temple, is one of the Tillai Brahmins, according to the Sthala Puranas, customs, and Saivite beliefs. Their clan leader and deity of adoration are Lord Nataraja.

A Deekshithar is required to have long hair that is tonsured all the way around. The hair is made into a bun and dragged to the left. This demonstrates their understanding of cosmology. Also, it conveys various ideas from the temple's philosophy. Masculine and female energies are complementary and both are necessary for the cosmos's operation. The Deekshithars wear their hair long and bunned on the left side of the body, which is regarded as the female side, as a sign of acknowledging their gender.

Strong Saivites, Podu Dikshitars are among the most eminent Saivites. A major component of Tamil Saivism is servitorship. Saivites hold the view that Saint Sundaramurti was given the command by Lord Siva to sing in honor of the great Saiva Devotees. In eleven Tamil lines, Saint Sundaramurti sang a hagiology of Saiva followers, mentioning 63 specific devotees as well as the nine main categories of devotees. In Tamil Nadu, these worshippers are revered in all of the main Siva temples. The Podu Dikshitars of Tillai is given honor among all of these Saivite devotees. The core religious conviction of Tamil Saivites is that Lord Siva Himself granted this community of followers this prominent position.

The role of the day's chief priest is alternated amongst the Podu Dikshitars. They might experience this turn once every 300 days or so. The Chief Priest of the day may only be a married male member over the age of 25, who has undergone the "Diksha" initiation, and whose wives are still alive. The 'Chief Priest of the Day' bathes in the sacred temple tank known as Sivaganga before performing the kala poojas and poojas to Lord Nataraja performing the "Dance of Bliss" in the Sanctum Santorum. He performs the fire ritual after taking a bath before beginning the kala poojas. These pooja practices include Vedic ways of worship along with the recitation of Vedic mantras.

This community has reflected a strong religious embankment over several thousand years and has been the epitome of cultural and spiritual practice.  The temple is recognized for its rich traditional values and undoubtedly the Deekshidars who perform its rituals. An unsung clan that has survived for generations following the same customs for centuries has stood the test of time amongst the growing hybridity on one side throw such stories we may still have hope of culture and values being saved for the generation to see and experience.