Nataraja Temple: The Bejeweled Shrine of Shiva

Niharika Lakhmani

Nataraja Temple: The Bejeweled Shrine of Shiva

Situated on the confluence of the Vellar River and the Bay of Bengal, Chidambaram is a simple yet beautiful town in Tamil Nadu. But what makes this simple town intriguing and historically significant?

The intricately carved facade of the Nataraja Temple; Source: My Travelogue

Chidambaram is a city that beholds plenty of natural vistas, festivities, and temple architecture. Amidst the plethora of shrines that the town entails, lies an ancient temple that is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology.

Also known as the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple and the Thillai Nataraja Temple, the Nataraja Temple is nestled at the heart of Chidambaram. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva Nataraja, the deity of dance. It counts as one of the five holiest shrines of Shiva that represent the five natural elements — wind, earth, water, space, and fire.

A representation of the skies on Earth

Portraying the natural element of space or akasha, the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple was constructed during the tenth century when Chidambaram was the celebrated capital of the Chola Dynasty. The religious beliefs of the Cholas were deeply rooted in worshipping Lord Nataraja, who was their family deity.

This magnificent shrine dedicated to Nataraja is one of the oldest surviving temples that are still active in Southern India. Even though the temple complex primarily houses an embellished image of Lord Shiva, it incorporates major themes from Vaishnavism, Shaktism, and other spiritual beliefs.

Impressed by their arduous prayers, Lord Shiva performed the bewitching Nataraja dance. Pirouetting around this story, the life in the town was weaved contributing to the historical significance of the place. In view of this narrative, the Pandyan ruler Sundara Pandya curated the golden hall of dance.

Post this, the Pandya dynasty was defeated by the Chola rulers. When the Cholas took over the empire, the Nataraja Temple was constructed as a symbol of their belief in Lord Shiva.

An architecture that combines art and spirituality

The Chidambaram Nataraja Temple is a storehouse of mythological tales and cultural beliefs. But what takes you by wonder at a mere glance is its architectural finesse. The shrine complex entails five concentric courtyards that are termed prakaras. Four of these have been made accessible to the public while the one at the center can only be approached by the priests. The fourth prakara encompasses the main temple, the gopurams, and the holy water place.

Besides compelling architectural intricacy, the Nataraja Temple also has an interesting story attached to it. During ancient times, the town of Chidambaram was known as Thillai because of its origins as a forest of thillai, or mangrove trees.

Two famous saints, Patanjali and Vyagrapada, lived in the forest. Legend has it that the pious devotion of these saints pleased Lord Shiva on the day of Thaipoosam*,* a festival that is still celebrated by the Tamil community.

The Nataraja shrine is based on the human body and entails nine entrances that denote the nine openings of the body. Its roof resonates with the regality of the Chola Dynasty — it is made out of approximately 21,600 sheets of gold and represents the number of breaths taken by a human every day. Visited by a multitude of tourists and pilgrims throughout the year, the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple is truly a sight to behold.