Chidambaram Temple: A Pancha Bhootha Sthalam

In South India, there are five temples that represent each of the five elements - Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space. These are the Pancha Bhootha Sthalams. Geographically, they all lie within the Deccan plateau – four are in Tamil Nadu, and one is in Andhra Pradesh. The temple for water is in Thiruvanaikaval, the one for fire is in Thiruvannamalai, the one for air is in Kalahasti, and the one for earth is in Kanchipuram. Chidambaram is the temple for ether or space.
The Chidambaram temple is believed to be 3,500 years old, though the newer part is only around a thousand years old. The Nataraja form enshrined here represents the dance of creation. This spectacular monument is the soul of the town, and it is one of the five holiest temples of Shiva. Spread over an area encompassing around 50 acres, it is a massive structure that is also an architectural marvel.

The temple is an extremely popular pilgrimage center. The highlight of this temple is the fact that Shiva here is depicted in dancing form and is seen performing the ‘Ananda Tandavam’ or the ‘dance of bliss’. Usually, Shiva is depicted as a ‘Linga’ which is the most commonly found form. A unique fact about this temple is the presence of Govindaraja Perumal’s idol, making it one of the few temples dedicated to both Shiva and Vishnu. The temple was constructed during the 10th century when Chidambaram was the capital of the Chola dynasty. Shiva as Nataraja was the family deity of the Cholas.

How it was created
The 12th-century text, Chidambara-mahatmya, talks about the origin of the temple. According to the legend, Shiva appeared in the Thillai forest as a handsome mendicant called Pitchaiandavar, along with Vishnu as Mohini. The sages who lived there had become very arrogant and believed that they were more powerful than God. The wives of the sages were captivated by the mendicant, while the sages were attracted to Mohini. Shiva then performed the Ananda Tandavam, which further impressed the sages’ wives. The enraged sages tried their best to destroy the mendicant, but all their mantras and tantras had no effect on him. This destroyed the ego and arrogance of the sages. Two sages - Patanjali and Vyaghrapada (also known as the tiger-footed sage) - wished to see Shiva’s "dance of bliss" again, in the Thillai forest. They installed a Shivalingam and began to pray to Shiva. Shiva then appeared before them and performed "the dance". Supposedly, the temple came up in this manner, says the legend described in the Sthalapurana.

This temple was consecrated by the Father of Modern Yoga, Patanjali. He did not invent yoga, but he assimilated its various forms into a system. He is the one who authored the Yoga Sutras. There was a science behind Patanjali’s consecration of the temple, and he also introduced proper ways for its upkeep. He formed a group of people who had to maintain a certain level of discipline and sadhana and perform daily rituals in the temple. The descendants of these families take care of the temple even now, maintaining the rules and the rituals that Patanjali laid down years ago.

Some Curious Facts

Western scientists have found that the center point of the world‘s Magnetic Equator is at the big toe of the Nataraja here. This was proved by the ancient Tamil scholar, Thirumoolar, around 5000 years ago. Interestingly, there is an intriguing correlation between the temple architecture and the human body.

According to Hindu thought, the universe is in the form of Virat purusha (person), while the Chidambaram temple is considered as the heart of this person. The sanctum sanctorum containing the Nataraja statue is called the Chit Sabha or Ponnambalam. The Chit Sabha’s five pillars represent the five senses. The Sabha’s roof contains 9 kalasas, which depict the 9 dwaras/gateways in the human body. These are the 2 eyes, 2 nostrils, 2 ears, mouth, rectum, and genitals. There are 21600 tiles on the roof, denoting the number of times a person can breathe in and out per day. The tiles are fixed to the roof with the help of 72000 nails. These represent the number of Nadis (channels of prana in the body).

The human heart is not at the center, likewise, the Nataraja statue is also slightly to the side. One can see this if the statue is viewed from within the two horns of the Nandikeshvara (Shiva’s mount, the bull called Nandi). Also, the entrance paths to the sanctum sanctorum are not straight as in most temples. Instead, they are through the sides. This represents the fact that human blood circulates only through the sides of the heart.

In the Kanaka Sabha, adjacent to the Chit Sabha, there are five silver steps that represent the panchakshara (Na Ma Si VaYa). These 5 syllables, according to UnmaiVilakkam (Light of Truth) by Tiruvadigai Manavasagam Kadanthar, represent the feet, lips, shoulder, face, and head. These five steps stand between the devotees and the silver-covered image of Shiva. They are the five syllables or seed words of the mantra. By chanting these syllables or seed words of the mantra, devotees can safely cross the ocean of bondage and reach the final and desired shore – union with the Absolute.

At this temple, Shiva is worshipped in three forms — the main Nataraja statue (form), small crystal Linga (semi-form), and Chidambara Ragasiyam (formless). In philosophical terms, this applies to the three states of consciousness or ‘avasthas’ in human beings.

A most curious fact about this temple is that it is believed to hold a secret; called 'Chidambara Ragasiyam'. It is found immediately to the right of the Nataraja. Behind a silk curtain that is black outside and red inside, one can see the Akasha Lingam, as a yantra (an abstract geometrical design for invoking the deity). Behind the curtain, and before the yantra, hang a few golden vilvam leaves. This represents the act of creation. One moment there was nothing, and the next instant, everything on earth was created. The curtain is unveiled at certain times to allow the devotees to worship the Akasha or the Ether, which is the vehicle of the Absolute and Consciousness.

Some believe that the golden vilvam leaves denote the presence of Shiva and Parvati. Normal people cannot see their physical forms, but some devout saints can, it is said. The curtain symbolizes Maya or illusion, which prevents us from seeing God. Some also believe that Chidambara Ragasiyam will always remain a secret because each person will interpret it in their own way.

Why was the temple created?

Temples are hallowed and sacred spaces where one can experience the divine presence. Divine energy pervades such places, and those who worship there are touched and healed by it. According to mythology, Chidambaram temple was first constructed by a king named Shveta Varman. He suffered from leprosy but was healed after he took a bath in the sacred pond in the Thillai forest. It is said that he also witnessed Shiva’s cosmic dance. It was this king who was responsible for the first gilding of the Cit Sabha’s roof, the instituting of the temple, and also the formal worship of the Nataraja. Thus, Chidambaram temple enshrines the power of Shiva, whose Ananda Tandava/Cosmic Dance (arudra darshan) brought into existence all creation. By creating a temple at this hallowed spot, it became possible for all those who worshipped the deity here to get in touch with the power of creation and the divine energy behind it. At this place, true seekers of wisdom and knowledge could lift the veil of Maya and become one with their Creator.