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{{Short description|Hindu temple of Shiva in Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name               = Thillai Nataraja Temple
| native_name        = Chidambaram Nataraja Temple 
| image              = Le temple de Shiva Nataraja (Chidambaram, Inde) (14037020332).jpg
| alt                = A view of north-side gopuram of the temple
| caption            = A view of north-side gopuram and pond of the temple
| map_caption        = Location in Tamil Nadu
| coordinates        = {{coord|11|23|58|N|79|41|36|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country            = [[India]]
| state              = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district           = [[Cuddalore District]]
| location           = [[Chidambaram]]
| elevation_m        =
| deity              = [[Nataraja]] ([[Shiva]])
| tradition          = Shaivism (Veda)<ref name="Prentiss2000p100"/>
| architecture       = [[Chola architecture]]
| inscriptions       = Tamil <ref>{{cite book|author1=B. Natarajan|author2=Balasubrahmanyan Ramachandran|title=Tillai and Nataraja|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NnDXAAAAMAAJ|year=1994|publisher=Mudgala Trust|pages=24, 255–257, 473–474}}, Quote:
 "A local Sanskrit inscription found on the eastern wall..."</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=E Hultsch|title=South Indian Inscriptions: Tamil inscriptions of Rajaraja, Rajendra-Chola, and others in the Rajarajesvara Temple at Tanjavur|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=7w9MfA1W7bEC|year =1983|publisher= Government Press|page=231}}</ref>
| creator            = [[Cholas]], [[Pandyas]]
| website            =
}}
[[File:Natarajartemple1.jpg|thumb|The main gopuram of Chidambaram Natarajar temple]]

'''Thillai Nataraja Temple''', also referred as the '''Chidambaram Nataraja Temple''', is a [[Hindu temple]] dedicated to [[Nataraja]], the form of [[Shiva]] as the lord of dance (cosmic dancer). This temple is located in [[Chidambaram]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]. This temple has ancient roots and a Shiva shrine existed at the site when the town was known as Thillai.<ref name="JonesRyan2006p107"/><ref name="Pal 1988, p. 19">[[#Pal|Pal 1988]], p. 19</ref> Chidambaram, the name of the city literally means "stage of consciousness". The temple architecture symbolizes the connection between the arts and spirituality, creative activity and the divine.<ref name="Lochtefeld2002p147"/><ref>{{cite book|author1=Donald Frederick Lakh|author2=Edwin J. Van Kley|title=South Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YPPiumz4vx0C |year=1993|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-46754-2|pages=1002–1003}}</ref><ref name="Chidambaram">[https://www.britannica.com/place/Chidambaram Chidambaram], Encyclopædia Britannica</ref> The temple wall carvings display all the 108 karanas from the ''[[Natya Shastra]]'' by Bharata Muni, and these postures form a foundation of [[Bharatanatyam]], an Indian classical dance.<ref name="JonesRyan2006p107">{{cite book|author1= Constance Jones|author2=James D. Ryan|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC&pg=PA107|year= 2006|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5|page=107}}</ref><ref name="Lochtefeld2002p147"/> it is the only Shiva temple common to both the [[Pancha Sabhai|Pancha Sabha Thalam]] and the [[Pancha Bhuta Sthalam|Pancha Bhuta Thalam]].

The present temple was built in the 10th century when Chidambaram was the capital of the Chola dynasty. After its 10th-century consecration by the Cholas who considered Nataraja as their family deity,<ref name="Harle1994p292">[[#Harle|Harle 1994]], pp. 292–304, 311–313</ref> the temple has been damaged, repaired, renovated and expanded through the 2nd millennium. Most of the temple's surviving plan, architecture and structure is from the late 12th and early 13th centuries, with later additions in similar style.<ref>[[#Harle|Harle 1994]], p. 321</ref> While Shiva as Nataraja is the primary deity of the temple, it reverentially presents major themes from [[Shaktism]], [[Vaishnavism]], and other traditions of Hinduism. The Chidambaram temple complex, for example, has the earliest known Amman or [[Devi]] temple in South India, a pre-13th-century [[Surya]] shrine with chariot, shrines for [[Ganesha]], [[Kartikeya|Murugan]] and [[Vishnu]], one of the earliest known Shiva Ganga sacred pools, large mandapas for the convenience of pilgrims ([[choultry]], ''ambalam'' or ''sabha'') and other monuments.<ref name="Harle 1994, pp. 321-323">[[#Harle|Harle 1994]], pp. 321-323</ref><ref name="Pal 1988, p. 36">[[#Pal|Pal 1988]], p. 36</ref> Shiva himself is presented as the Nataraja performing the [[Ananda Tandava]] ("Dance of Delight") in the golden hall of the shrine ''Pon Ambalam''.<ref>[[#Ca Ve|Ca Ve 1985]]</ref>

The temple is one of the five elemental lingas in the [[Shaivism]] pilgrimage tradition, and considered the subtlest of all Shiva temples (''[[Kovil]]'') in Hinduism.<ref name="Lochtefeld2002p147">{{cite book|author=James G. Lochtefeld|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5kl0DYIjUPgC|year=2002|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8|page=147}}</ref> It is also a site for performance arts, including the annual Natyanjali dance festival on [[Maha Shivaratri]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Tracy Pintchman|title=Women's Lives, Women's Rituals in the Hindu Tradition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7lOc8ZoLV0wC&pg=PA194 |year=2007|publisher= Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-803934-1|pages=194–195}}</ref>

==Etymology==
Chidambaram is one of the many temple towns in the state which is named after the groves, clusters or forests dominated by a particular variety of a tree or shrub and the same variety of tree or shrub sheltering the presiding deity.<ref>[[#Reddy|Reddy, 2013]], p. 10</ref> The town used to be called Thillai, following Thillaivanam, derived from the mangrove of ''Tillai'' trees (''[[Excoecaria agallocha]]'') that grow here and the nearby [[Pichavaram]] wetlands.<ref>T. A. Gopinatha Rao, Kalyan Kumar Dasgupta. (1971). Elements of Hindu iconography, Volume 1, Part 1. pp.43</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rajarajan|first=R.K.K.|date=2018|title=If this is Citambaram-Nataraja, then where is Tillai-Kūttaṉ? An Introspective Reading of Tēvāram Hymns|url=https://www.academia.edu/37222485|journal=History, Culture and Archaeological Studies Recent Trends, Commemoration Volume to Prof. M.L.K. Murthy, Vol. II|pages=613–634}}</ref>

The site became the capital of Cholas in the 10th century, and they renamed it to Chidambaram and built the current temple for their [[family deity]] of [[Nataraja]] Shiva. The word ''Chidambaram'' comes from the Tamil word ''Chitrambalam'' (also spelled ''Chithambalam'') meaning "wisdom atmosphere". The roots are ''citt'' or ''chitthu'' means "consciousness or wisdom", while ''ampalam'' means "atmosphere".<ref name="Chidambaram"/><ref>{{cite book|last=B.|first= Natarajan|year=1974|title= The city of the cosmic dance: Chidambaram|publisher= Orient Longman| page=14}}</ref> This composite word comes from its association with Shiva Nataraja, the cosmic dancer and the cultural atmosphere for arts.<ref name="Chidambaram"/> The word Chidambaram is translated by James Lochtefeld as "clothed in thought".<ref name="Lochtefeld2002p147"/><ref name=Giri>{{cite book|title=108 Thennaga Shivasthalangal|language=ta|publisher=Giri Trading Agency Private Limited|isbn=978-81-7950-707-0|last=R.|first=Ponnammal|pages=24–35}}</ref>

The town and temple name appears in medieval Hindu texts by various additional names such as Kovil (lit. "the temple"), Pundarikapuram, Vyagrapuram, Sirrampuram, Puliyur and Chitrakuta.{{sfn|Ayyar|1993|p=204}} Additional names for Chidambaram in Pallava era and North Indian texts include Kanagasabainathar, Ponnambalam, Brahmastpuri and Brahmapuri.<ref>{{cite book|author=Sakkottai Krishnaswami Aiyangar|title=South India and Her Muhammadan Invaders|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w6zkx_Ck3FwC&pg=PA108| year=1991|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-0536-7|pages=108–109}}</ref>

==Location==
The Nataraja temple in Chidambaram is located in the southeastern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is about {{convert|5|km}} north of the [[Kollidam River]] (Kaveri), {{convert|15|km}} west from the coast of Bay of Bengal, and {{convert|220|km}} south of [[Chennai]]. The closest major airport is about {{convert|60|km}} north in Pondicherry ([[IATA]]: PNY). The [[National Highway 32 (India)|National Highway 32]] (old numbering: NH-45A) passes through Chidambaram. The [[Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation]] and private companies operate services connecting it to major cities in the state.<ref name="urbaninfra23">{{cite report |title=Conversion of City Corporate Plan into Business Plan |last=Urban Infrastructure report|url= http://tnuifsl.com/documents/ccpbp/Chidambaram.pdf|publisher=Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited |year=2008| page= 23}}</ref> The site is linked to the Indian Railways with daily express trains to South Indian cities.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chidambaram railway routes|publisher= Navlinks Indian Railways|year=2017 |url=http://www.nivalink.com/station/chidambaram-cdm }}</ref>

Chidambaram is a temple town, with the Nataraja complex spread over {{convert|40|acre|ha|order=flip}} within a nearly square courtyard in the center. Its side roads are aligned to the east–west, north–south axis. It has double walls around its periphery with gardens. It has had entrance gateways on all four sides.<ref>{{cite book|author=John Loud|title=The Rituals of Chidambaram|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jlcvAAAAYAAJ |year=2004|publisher =Institute of Asian Studies|isbn=978-81-87892-20-5|pages=7–8}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:1800-1850 photograph of Chidambaram Nataraja temple, Sivaganga pool and northern gopuram.jpg|thumb|Sivaganga pool and gopuram, ca. 1800-1850.]]
The Nataraja temple has ancient roots, early textual evidence, such as those of the [[Sangam literature|Sangam]] tradition, suggest a temple existed here along with [[Madurai]] in ancient times,<ref name="Pal 1988, p. 19"/> but the town is not named Chidambaram in these pre-5th-century texts.<ref name=kulke145>{{cite book|author1=Hermann Kulke|author2=Dietmar Rothermund|title=A History of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RoW9GuFJ9GIC|year=2004|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-32920-0|page=145}}</ref> The earliest mention of "dancing god of Chidambaram" as Shiva is found in 6th- and early-7th-century texts by [[Appar]] and [[Sambandar|Sambadar]].<ref name=kulke145/> The ''Suta Samhita'' embedded inside ''[[Kanda Purana|Sri Kanda Puranam]]'' and variously dated between 7th and 10th century mentions the Chidambaram dance.<ref name=kulke145/> Likely following the temple architecture tradition that is found all over South India from at least the 5th century when many older brick and wooden temples were being replaced by more lasting temples from cut stone as the building blocks in dozens of places across South India.{{sfn|S.R. Balasubrahmanyam|1971|pp=3-19}} The surviving Nataraja temple has a structure that is traceable to the early [[Chola Dynasty]].<ref name="Pal 1988, p. 19"/> Chidambaram was the early capital of this dynasty, and Shiva Nataraja was their family deity. The Chidambaram temple town remained important to the [[Chola Dynasty|Chola]]s, albeit with increasing competition from other temple towns when Rajaraja Chola I moved the capital to [[Thanjavur]], built a new city and the massive [[Brihadeeswarar Temple]] dedicated to Shiva in the early 11th century, which is now a world heritage site.<ref name="Pal 1988, p. 19"/><ref>{{citation| last =Michell| first =George| title = The Hindu Temple: An Introduction to Its Meaning and Forms| publisher =University of Chicago Press| year =1988| location =Chicago| isbn = 0-226-53230-5|pages=145–148}}</ref><ref name=britbrihadthanj>[https://www.britannica.com/place/Thanjavur-India Thanjavur], Encyclopædia Britannica</ref>

[[Nataraja]] Shiva and his "dance of bliss" is an ancient Hindu art concept. It is found in various texts such as ''Tatva Nidhi'' which describes seven types of dance and their spiritual symbolism, ''Kashyapa Silpa'' which describes 18 dance forms with iconographic details and design instructions, as well as Bharata's ancient treatise on performance arts ''[[Natya Shastra]]'' which describes 108 dance postures among other things. Reliefs and sculptures of Nataraja have been found across the Indian subcontinent, some dating to the 6th century and earlier such as in [[Aihole]] and [[Badami cave temples]].{{sfn|S.R. Balasubrahmanyam|1971|pp=287-305}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Michell|first=George |title=Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=zzTcoQEACAAJ |year= 2017|publisher= Jaico (Reprinted, Orig Year: 2011)|isbn= 978-81-8495-600-9|pages=92–93, 101–105}}</ref>{{refn|group=note|Dance and performance arts are not unique to Shiva in Hindu texts, including the Tamil literature. Many other deities, including Vishnu, Durga, Krishna, Ganesha, Kartikeya are all envisioned as dancers amongst other things. However, with Shiva the idea is most evolved.{{sfn|S.R. Balasubrahmanyam|1971|pp=288-289}}}}
[[File:Nataraja01.jpg|thumb|[[Nataraja]] – Shiva as the cosmic dancer, inspired the 10th-century Chola kings to rebuild the Chidambaram temple with stone and gold. A silver Nataraja, not Shivalinga, is the principal icon in this temple.<ref>[[#Pal|Pal 1988]], p. 262</ref>]]

The earliest historically verifiable Shiva temple at Chidambaram is traceable in inscriptions that date to the rule of [[Aditya I|Aditya Chola I]] in the early 10th century, and far more during the rule of the 10th-century Chola king [[Parantaka Chola I]].<ref name="Prentiss2000p100"/><ref name="Harle1994p292"/>{{refn|group=note|Sharada Srinivasan states that the Nataraja bronze has roots in 7th- to 9th-century Pallava innovations.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Srinivasan | first=Sharada | title=Shiva as 'cosmic dancer': On Pallava origins for the Nataraja bronze | journal=World Archaeology | publisher=Informa UK Limited | volume=36 | issue=3 | year=2004 | doi=10.1080/1468936042000282726821 | pages=432–450| s2cid=26503807 }}</ref>}} For them, the dancing Shiva was the ''kula-nayaka'' (family guide or deity) and Chidambaram was the capital they built.<ref>[[#Dehejia|Dehejia 1990]], pp. 97-101</ref> These inscriptions and texts from this period suggest that the significance of the ''[[Agama (Hinduism)|Agama texts]]'' and Shaiva Bhakti movement was strengthening within the Chola leadership and thought.<ref name="Prentiss2000p100">{{cite book|author=Karen Pechilis Prentiss|title=The Embodiment of Bhakti|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vu95WgeUBfEC&pg=PA100|year=2000|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-535190-3|pages=100–101}}</ref>

The copper plate inscriptions of Parantaka I (c. 907–955 CE) describe him as the "bee at the lotus feet of Shiva" who built the golden house for Shiva, with Chit-sabha, Hema-sabha, Hiranya-sabha and Kanaka-sabha (all mandapam, pillared pilgrim rest places). He is referred to as "Pon veinda Perumal", which means "one who covered with gold" the Chit-sabha of Chidambaram.{{sfn|S.R. Balasubrahmanyam|1971|p=3}} Both Aditya I and his Chola successor Parantaka I were active supporters of arts and temple building. They converted many older brick and wooden temples into more lasting temples from cut stone as the building blocks in dozens of places across South India.{{sfn|S.R. Balasubrahmanyam|1971|pp=3-19}}

[[Raja Raja Chola I]] (985–1013 CE) embarked on a mission to recover the hymns of the 63 [[Nayanars|Nayanmars]] after hearing short excerpts of the ''Tevaram'' in his court.<ref name="Culter 50">Culter 1987, p. 50</ref>  He sought the help of [[Nambiyandar Nambi]], who was a priest in a temple.<ref name="Cort178">[[#Cort|Cort 1998]], p. 178</ref>  It is believed that by divine intervention Nambi found the presence of scripts, in the form of cadijam leaves half eaten by white ants in a chamber inside the second precinct in the temple.<ref name="Culter 50"/><ref name="Cort178"/>  The ''brahmanas'' ([[Dikshitars]]) in the temple are supposed to have disagreed with the king by saying that the works were too divine, and that only by the arrival of the "Naalvar" (the four saints)—[[Appar]], [[Sundarar]], [[Tirugnanasambandar]] and [[Manickavasagar]] would they allow for the chambers to be opened. Rajaraja, however, created idols of them and prepared for them to be brought to the temple through a procession. but Rajaraja is said to have prevailed.<ref name="Culter 50"/><ref name="Vasu">[[#Vasudevan|Vasudevan 2003]], pp. 109-110</ref>  Rajaraja thus became known as ''Tirumurai Kanda Cholan'' meaning one who saved the ''[[Tirumurai]]''.<ref name="Vasu"/>

In another version of the story, [[Raja Raja Chola I|Rajaraja]] is said to have experienced a dream from lord [[Shiva]] telling Rajaraja that the hymns in [[Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram]] are in a state of destruction and to recover the remaining hymns from the chambers. The ''brahmanas'' ([[Dikshitars]]) in the temple, however, are supposed to have disagreed with the king by saying that the works were too divine to be accessed, and that only by the arrival of the 63 [[Nayanars|Nayanmars]] would they allow for the chambers to be opened. Rajaraja, devising a plan, consecrated idols of each of them and prepared for them to be brought into the temple through a procession. It is said that the 63 idols are still present in the [[Thillai Nataraja Temple]]. When the vault was opened, [[Raja Raja Chola I|Rajaraja]] is said to have found the room infested with white ants, and that the hymns were salvaged as much as possible.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

The temple, according to inscriptions found in South India and Southeast Asia, was also historic recipient of a precious jewel from the king of Angkor who built the [[Angkor Wat]] through Chola king Kulothunga, who submitted it to the temple in 1114 CE.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Hermann Kulke|author2=Dietmar Rothermund|title=A History of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RoW9GuFJ9GIC|year=2004|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-32920-0|page=125}}</ref> Kulothunga I and his son expanded the Chidambaram Nataraja temple sixfold.{{sfn|S.R. Balasubrahmanyam|1979|p=23}}

Chidambaram temple thrived during the Chola dynasty rule through mid-13th century, along with the later Shiva-based Thanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram capitals, as well as Vishnu-based [[Srirangam]] temple towns. Its facilities infrastructure was expanded. Naralokaviran, the general of king [[Kulothunga Chola I]] was responsible for building the steps that lead to Sivaganga water pool, a goddess shrine, a shrine for child saint Thirugnana Sambanthar, temple gardens and a pilgrim road network in and around Chidambaram. He constructed a hall for recitation of ''Tevaram'' hymns and engraved the hymns in copper plates.<ref name="Dehejia">[[#Dehejia|Dehejia 1990]], pp. 99-101</ref> The thousand pillar [[choultry]], with friezes narrating Hindu texts, was built in the late 12th century.<ref name="Dehejia"/> Between the second half of the 12th century and the early 13th century, the Chola kings added colorful and high gopura stone gateways as easily identifiable landmarks, starting with the western gopura. Thereafter, about mid 13th century, the Pandya dynasty ended the Chola dynasty.{{sfn|S.R. Balasubrahmanyam| 1971|pp=300-302}} The Hindu Pandyas were liberal supporters of Chidambaram temple, along with other Shiva and Vishnu temples, just like the Chola. Sundara Pandya added the huge eastern gopura at Chidambaram, beginning the colossal gateway tradition.{{sfn|S.R. Balasubrahmanyam| 1971| pp=300-302}} Most of the structure and plans currently seen in the Chidambaram complex, including the mandapas with their pillar carvings, the various shrines with polished granite sculptures, the [[Sacred waters|sacred water pool]] and the early gopurams are from the 12th and 13th century, attributed to the late Chola and early Pandya kings.<ref>[[#Harle|Harle 1994]], pp. 321-326 with figures 252-256</ref>

===Invasions===
{{multiple image
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| image1 = 1800-1850 photograph of Chidambaram Nataraja temple, Subrahmanya temple mandapam.jpg
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| caption1 = Subrahmanya shrine in ruins, early 19th century
| image2 = Therond, Mandapam of Chillambaram, 1869.jpg
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| caption2 = A Mandapam in 1869
| image3 = 1800-1850 photograph of Chidambaram Nataraja temple, western gopuram with a mandapam now missing.jpg
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| caption3 = One of the temple's pillared halls before demolition in the late 19th century.
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In the north, the Indian subcontinent had been conquered by the [[Delhi Sultanate]]. Muslim armies had begun raiding central India for plunder by the late 13th century. In 1311, when Sultan [[Alauddin Khalji|Alauddin Khilji]] ordered his general [[Malik Kafur]] and his forces to invade southern Hindu kingdoms, he went deeper into the Indian peninsula for loot and to establish annual tribute agreement between the kingdoms and the Sultanate.<ref>[[#Michell|Michell 1995]], pp. 9-10, Quote: "The era under consideration opens with an unprecedented calamity for Southern India: the invasion of the region at the turn of the fourteenth century by Malik Kafur, general of Alauddin, Sultan of Delhi. Malik Kafur's forces brought to an abrupt end all of the indigenous ruling houses of Southern India, not one of which was able to withstand the assault or outlive the conquest. Virtually every city of importance in the Kannada, Telugu and Tamil zones succumbed to the raids of Malik Kafur; forts were destroyed, palaces dismantled and temple sanctuaries wrecked in the search for treasure. In order to consolidate the rapidly won gains of this pillage, Malik Kafur established himself in 1323 at Madurai (Madura) in the southernmost part of the Tamil zone, former capital of the Pandyas who were dislodged by the Delhi forces. Madurai thereupon became the capital of the Ma'bar (Malabar) province of the Delhi empire."</ref> The records left by the court historians of the Delhi Sultanate state that Malik Kafur raided [[Chidambaram]], [[Srirangam]], [[Madurai]] and other Tamil towns, destroyed the temples, and the Nataraja temple was one of the sources of gold and jewels booty he brought back to Delhi.<ref name="Ernst2004p109">{{cite book|author=Carl W. Ernst| title=Eternal Garden: Mysticism, History, and Politics at a South Asian Sufi Center| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9bNAAQAAIAAJ|year=2004|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-566869-8|page=109}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Sarojini Chaturvedi|title=A short history of South India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qXcwAQAAIAAJ| year=2006|publisher= Saṁskṛiti|isbn=978-81-87374-37-4|page=209}}</ref><ref name="Eraly2015chid">{{cite book|author=Abraham Eraly|title=The Age of Wrath: A History of the Delhi Sultanate|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vyEoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT155| year=2015|publisher= Penguin Books|isbn=978-93-5118-658-8|pages=155–156}}</ref>

The temple towns of Tamil Nadu were again targeted for loot in the 1320s. However, when the news of another invasion spread in Tamil lands, the community removed them into the Western Ghats or buried numerous sculptures and treasures in the land and concealed chambers underneath temples sites before the Muslim armies reached them. A large number of these were rediscovered in archaeological excavations at the site in and after 1979, including those in Chidambaram.{{sfn|Vidya Dehejia|2007|p=22}}<ref>{{cite book|author=Job Thomas|title=Tiruvengadu Bronzes|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kGbqAAAAMAAJ|year=1986|publisher=Cre-A|pages=18–19|isbn=9780836420821 }}</ref><ref name=nagaswamyarch>R. Nagaswamy (1987), [https://www.jstor.org/stable/43733559 Archaeological Finds in South India: Esālam Bronzes and Copper-plates], Bulletin de l'École française d'Extrême-Orient, Vol. 76, No. 1, pp. 1-68</ref> According to Nagaswamy, those who buried the temple artworks followed the Hindu Agama texts such as ''Marici Samhita'' and ''Vimanarcanakalpa'' that recommend ritually burying precious metal [[murti]]s as a means of protection when war and robbery is imminent. Over 200 such items have been recovered, including relevant hordes of copper plate inscriptions.<ref name=nagaswamyarch/>

The Islamic invasion in the 14th century, states George Michell – a professor and art historian of Indian architecture, brought an abrupt end to the patronage of Chidambaram and other temple towns.<ref name=michellttownchid/> The Delhi Sultan appointed a Muslim governor, who seceded within the few years from the Delhi Sultanate and began the [[Madurai Sultanate]]. This Sultanate sought tribute from the temple towns, instead of supporting them. The Muslim Madurai Sultanate was relatively short lived, with Hindu [[Vijayanagara Empire]] removing it in the late 14th century.<ref name=michellttownchid>{{cite book|author=George Michell|title=Temple Towns of Tamil Nadu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D3XXAAAAMAAJ|year=1993|publisher=Marg Publications|isbn=978-81-85026-21-3|pages=4–8, 95–96}}</ref> The Vijayanagara rulers restored, repaired and expanded the temple through the 16th century, along with many other regional temples. These kings themselves went on pilgrimage to Chidambaram, and gifted resources to strengthen its walls and infrastructure.<ref>[[#Michell|Michell 1995]], pp. 14, 78-81, 158</ref>

[[File:Fergusson, James, Gateway at Chillambaram, 1847.jpg|thumb|left|An 1847 sketch of gopuram with ruined pillars, published by James Fergusson]]
The decline and dissolution of the [[Vijayanagara Empire]] in the late 16th century by an alliance of Sultanates, followed within a few decades by entrance of Portuguese, French and British colonial interests brought geopolitical uncertainties to Chidambaram and other temple towns. The Portuguese were already a major [[Coromandel Coast]] trading group by the early 17th century, a region to which Chidambaram belonged.<ref name="LachKley1998p1000">{{cite book|author1=Donald Frederick Lach|author2=Edwin J. Van Kley|title=Asia in the Making of Europe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qBZg0OhbiXMC&pg=PA1000|year=1998|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-46767-2|pages=1000–1004}}</ref> The Portuguese began building forts, garrison and churches in Coromandel Coast region after the demise of Vijayanagara, triggering the intervention of the French and the British. By the mid-17th century, the temple complex was within the patronage of Nayakas, who repaired the temple and repainted the frescoes on mandapa ceilings. According to Michell, these restorations likely occurred about 1643 CE during the reign of Shrirangadeva Raya III.<ref>[[#Michell|Michell 1995]], pp. 220-221</ref>

According to British reports, Chidambaram temple town had to bear the "brunt of several severe onslaughts" between the French and the British colonial forces several times particularly in the 18th century.<ref>{{cite book|author=Arnold Wright|title=Southern India: Its History, People, Commerce, and Industrial Resources|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8WNEcgMr11kC&pg=PA462|year=1914|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-1344-7|pages=462–463, 495–496}}</ref>

===Legend===
The Chidambaram temple legend is contained in the 12th-century text ''Chidambara-mahatmya''. The central episode states that Shiva visits sages in the mythical forest in the form of a dancer mendicant ([[Bhikshatana]]) accompanied by [[Mohini]], Vishnu in his avatar as a beautiful woman. Mohini triggers lustful interest of the sages, while Shiva performs [[Tandava]] dance that triggers the carnal interest of the wives of these sages. The sages ultimately realise how superficial their austerities have been. The episode becomes widely known. Two sages named [[Patanjali]] (also called Sesha-bodied in the south for his connection to Vishnu) and [[Vyaghrapada]] (also called Tiger-footed sage) want to see the repeat performance of this "dance of bliss" in the Thaillai forest, Chidambaram. They set up a Shivalinga, pray, meditate and wait. Their asceticism impresses Shiva who appeared before them in Chidambaram and performed "the dance" against "the wall, in the blessed hall of consciousness". This is how this temple started, according to the mahatmya embedded in the Tamil ''Sthalapurana''.<ref name="Anand">[[#Anand|Anand 2004]], pp. 149-152</ref> According to Kulke, the late medieval text ''Chidambaramahatmya'' may reflect a process of Sanskritisation, where these North Indian named sages with Vedic links became incorporated into regional temple mythology.<ref name=kulke145/>

According to a Hindu legend, once Shiva and his consort [[Parvati]] wanted to judge who among them was a better dancer, and wanted their sons [[Ganesha]] and [[Murugan]] to judge their performances. Both of them judged in favour of Parvati, after which Shiva was not satisfied. He wanted [[Brahma]] to judge, and the competition was held in [[Thiruvalangadu]]. Brahma was still not satisfied, and he wanted Vishnu to judge, and the latter wanted the competition in Tillaivanam. Shiva performed the Urthvathandavam pose of picking his earring with his legs, and wearing them in the ear with his legs. Parvati was not able to perform the feat. Vishnu was Impressed and declared Shiva as the winner. Parvati got angry due to her frustration at her defeat, became Kali at the [[Thillai Kali Temple, Chidambaram|Thillai Kali temple]].<ref name=R>{{cite book|title=An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam|last=R.|first=Dr. Vijayalakshmy|publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies| location=Chennai|year=2001|edition=1st|ref=R.|pages=494–5}}</ref>

According to another Hindu legend, [[Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur|Mahalingaswamy at Thiruvidaimarudur]] is the centre of all Shiva temples in the region and the ''Saptha Vigraha moorthis'' (seven prime deities in all [[Shiva]] temples) are located at seven cardinal points around the temple, located in various parts of the state.<ref name="tourist">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nGxbJqdEQrwC&q=thiruvidaimarudur&pg=PA71|last=Tourist guide to Tamil Nadu |title=Tourist guide to Tamil Nadu|year=2007|publisher=T. Krishna Press |location=Chennai |isbn=978-81-7478-177-2|ref=tourist|page=53}}</ref><ref name=Om34>{{cite journal|title=Jyothirmaya Mahalingam|last=Narayanaswami|journal=Om Sakthi|language=ta|publisher=Om Sakthi Publications|date=April 1987|location=Coimbatore|ref=Om|pages=34–5}}</ref> The seven deities are Nataraja in Chidambaram Nataraja Temple at [[Chidambaram]], [[Satyagireeswarar Temple, Senganur|Chandikeswarar temple at Tirucheingalur]], Ganesha in [[Thiruvalanjuli Kabardeeshwarar Temple (Vellai Vinayagar Temple)|Vellai Vinayagar Temple]] at [[Thiruvalanchuzhi]], Murugan in [[Swamimalai Murugan Temple]] at [[Swamimalai]], [[Bhairava]] in [[Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi|Sattainathar Temple]] at [[Sirkali]], [[Navagraha]] in [[Suryanar Kovil|Sooriyanar Temple]] at [[Suryanar Kovil]], [[Dakshinamoorthy]] in [[Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi|Apatsahayesvarar Temple]] at [[Valangaiman Taluk|Alangudi]].<ref name=Om34/> 

The temple, also called Perumpatrapuliyur in this context, is one of the [[Nava Puliyur Temples]] worshipped by Patanjali and Vyaghrapada.<ref>[https://www.dinamani.com/weekly-supplements/vellimani/2019/nov/22/%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%B5-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AF%82%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B2-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%A9%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-3287140.html மருத்துவர் கைலாசம் சுப்ரமணியம், நவ புலியூர் திருத்தல தரிசனம்!, தினமணி, 22 நவம்பர் 2019]</ref><ref>[https://siddharbhoomi.com/?p=1500  தில்லை பெருமானால் உபதேசிக்கப்பட்ட நவபுலியூர் தரிசனம், மோட்ச யாத்திரை, சித்தர் பூமி]</ref> The other temples are [[Pataleeswarar Temple, Cuddalore|Thirupathiripuliyur]], [[Thirukumaresar temple|Erukathampuliyur]], [[Omampuliyur Thuyartheertanathar Temple|Omampuliyur]], [[Margabandeesvarar Temple, Sirupuliyur|Sirupuliyur]], [[Atthippuliyur Chidambaresvarar Temple|Atthippuliyur]], [[Vyagrapurisvarar Temple, Thaplampuliyur|Thaplampuliyur]], [[Tirupperumpuliyur Vyakrapureeswarar Temple|Perumpuliyur]] and [[Kanattampuliyur Pathanchalinathar Temple|Kanattampuliyur]].

==Description==
[[File:Golden Roof, Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram.jpg|thumb|Golden Roof, Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram]]
[[File:10th to 13th century Chidambaram Nataraja Temple plan.svg|thumb|Nataraja temple plan. 1: East gopura; 2: South gopura; 3: West gopura; 4: North gopura; 5: 1000 pillar hall (choultry); 6: Shivaganga pool; 7: Devi temple; 8: Shiva Sanctum + Chit Sabha + Kanaka Sabha; 9: Vishnu shrine.]]

===Architecture===
The temple as it stands had a pre-Chola existence and the architecture is a combination of Chola and Pandyan architecture with the Sanctum Sanctorum closely resembling [[Kerala Architecture|Kerala]] style structures. Indeed, the royal charters mention the rebuilding of the Sanctum using architects from Kerala.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Catherine Ella Blanshard Asher|author2=Thomas R. Metcalf|title=Perceptions of South Asia's visual past|year=1994|publisher=American Institute of Indian Studies, New Delhi, Swadharma Swarajya Sangha, Madras, and Oxford & IBH Pub. Co.|page=182}}</ref> However, the golden roof is a striking example of [[Vesara]] architecture with its apsidal shape. Two small structures called the Chit Sabha and Kanak Sabha form the crux of the vast architectural complex.<ref name="Sahai 2006 113">{{cite book|last=Sahai|first=Surendra|title=Indian Architecture: Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain|year=2006|publisher=Prakash Books|page=113}}</ref> The temple is spread over a {{convert|40|acre|adj=on}} area, within layers of concentric courtyards. The inner sanctum, its connecting mandapams and pillared halls near it are all either squares or stacked squares or both. The complex has nine gopurams, several water storage structures of which the Shivaganga sacred pool is the largest with a rectangular plan. The temple complex is dedicated to Nataraja Shiva and theological ideas associated with Shaivism concepts in Hinduism. However, the temple also includes shrines for Devi, Vishnu, Subrahmanyar, Ganesha, Nandi and others including an Amman shrine, a Surya shrine complete with Chariot wheels.<ref name="Sahai 2006 113"/> The plan has numerous gathering halls called ''sabha'', two major [[choultry]] called the 100 pillared and 1,000 pillared halls, inscriptions and frescoes narrating Hindu legends about gods, goddesses, saints and scholars.<ref>{{cite book| author1=Vivek Nanda|author2=George Michell|title=Chidambaram: Home of Nataraja|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jurVAAAAMAAJ |year=2004 |publisher=Marg |isbn=978-81-85026-64-0|pages=1–17}}</ref><ref>[[#Dehejia|Dehejia 1990]], pp. 97-105</ref>

===Courtyards===

The Nataraja Temple complex is embedded inside four ''[[prakarams]]'' (courtyards). Each courtyard has walls that were defensively fortified after the 14th-century plunder and destruction. 
[[File:1800-1850 photograph of Chidambaram Nataraja temple, 1000 pillar mandapam.jpg|thumb|left|Mandapam of thousand pillars, ca. 1800-1850.]]
The outermost wall around the fourth courtyard has four gateways. The walls and gateways of the fourth courtyard were added in the 16th century by Vijayanagara rulers after they had defeated the Madurai Sultanate, and this outermost layer was heavily fortified by the Nayakas in the 17th century.<ref name="Michell2004p12"/><ref name=dehejia101/> These face the four large gopurams that are gateways into the third courtyard. These gopurams are also landmarks from afar. Inside the third courtyard, near the northern gopuram, is the Shivaganga tank, the thousand pillar mandapam, the Subrahmanyar (Murugan, Kartikeya) shrine and the shrine for Parvati (as Shivakama Sundari). The other three gateways are closer to the sanctum. The four gopurams pilgrims and visitors to enter the temple from all four cardinal directions. The complex is interconnected through a maze of pathways.<ref name="Michell2004p12"/><ref name=dehejia101/>

The courtyard walls and gateways are made from cut stones with some brick structure added in. The gardens and palm groves are in the fourth courtyard, outside the walls of the third courtyard walls with the four large gopurams. These were restored or added in by the Vijayanagara rulers in the 16th century.<ref>[[#Dehejia|Dehejia 1990]], p. 101</ref>

===Towers: gopurams===
{{multiple image
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| image1 = A view of Nataraja Shiva Temple at Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu (10).jpg
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| footer = Two distinct styled gopurams of the Chidambaram temple. The artwork narrates religious and secular stories from Hindu texts.
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The temple has nine major gopuram gateways connecting the various courtyards. Four of these are huge and colorful, visible from afar, a symbolic and convenient landmark for pilgrims. These gateway towers or ''[[gopurams]]'' each have 7 storeys facing the East, South, West and North.<ref name="Michell2004p12"/><ref name=dehejia101/> The first edition of the four gopuram superstructures were likely built between 1150 and 1300 CE. The earliest was likely the western gopuram, which is also the smaller of the four. This is generally dated to about 1150 CE. The eastern gopura was likely completed by about 1200 CE, southern gopura by the mid-13th century, while the northern was added in the late 13th century. The four high gopurams were destroyed, rebuilt, repaired, enlarged and redecorated several times after the 13th century.<ref name="Michell2004p12"/><ref name=dehejia101/> This has made the gopurams difficult to place chronologically, yet useful in scholarly studies of the history of the Nataraja temple.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Barrett | first=Douglas | title=James C. Harle: Temple gateways in South India: the architecture and iconography of the Cidambaram gopuras | journal=Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies | publisher=Cambridge University Press | volume=27 | issue=2 | year=1964 | doi=10.1017/s0041977x00096063 | pages=462–463| s2cid=162883647 }}</ref>

All gopurams are built of precisely cut large stone blocks all the way to the main cornice. Upon this is a stone, brick and plaster structure with layers of pavilions. Above these ''talas'' (storeys) is a South Indian style barrel vaulted roof, crowned with thirteen ''kalasa'' finials. All of them are similar in size with a 14:10:3 ratio, about {{convert|42.7|m}} high, {{convert|30.5|m}} wide and {{convert|9.1|m}} deep.<ref name=dehejia101/>

====Artwork on the gopuram====
[[File:Nataraja Temple gopuram artwork in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.jpg|left|thumb|Nataraja Temple gopuram artwork in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu]]
Each gopuram is colorful and unique in its own ways. They narrate stories from various Hindu texts, showing religious and secular scenes from the various Hindu traditions. This art is presented in each gopuram with anthropomorphic figure panels and about fifty niches with stone sculptures in every gopuram.<ref name="Michell2004p12"/><ref name=dehejia101/> The scenes include multiple panels about the legend of Shiva-Parvati wedding with Brahma, Vishnu, Saraswati and Lakshmi attending, dancing Ganesha, Shiva in his various aspects, Durga in the middle of her war with a demon, Skanda ready for war, seated Nandi, musicians, dancers, farmers, merchants, sadhu in namaste posture, dancing dvarapalas near the vertical center line and others. The artists and architects who built these gopura may have had a rationale in the relative sequence and position of the artwork with respect to each other and on various levels, but this is unclear and a subject of disagreement among scholars.<ref name="Michell2004p12"/><ref>[[#Dehejia|Dehejia 1990]], pp. 101-106 with figures</ref><ref name="Harle1995p92">{{cite book|author=James C. Harle|title=Temple Gateways in South India: The Architecture and Iconography of the Cidambaram Gopuras|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=iZ5NAAAAYAAJ| year=1995|publisher=Oxford University Press (Reprinted: Munshiram Manoharlal)|isbn=978-81-215-0666-3|pages=91–92}}</ref>

[[File:Shiva's wedding Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu 2017.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|The artwork on gopuram showing Parvati-Shiva ''[[Kalyanasundara]]'' wedding legend. Near the newly weds are Saraswati, Lakshmi, Vishnu and others.]]
The earliest built western gopuram is the only one with inscriptions below each artwork that identifies what it is. The artwork on it includes Durga fighting the evil, shape shifting buffalo demon and Skanda sitting on peacock and dressed up for war.<ref name=dehejia101/> Other artwork found on the eastern gopuram include Surya, Ganapati, Vishnu, Sridevi (Lakshmi), Tripura Sundari, Brahma, Saraswati, Varuna, Durga, Agni, several ''[[rishi]]s'', Yamuna goddess, Kama and Rati, Budha, the Vedic sages such as Narada and Agastya, Pantanjali, Somaskanda legend, Ardhanarishvara (half Shiva, half Parvati), Harihara (half Vishnu, half Shiva), several forms of dancing Shiva and others.<ref name="Michell2004p86">{{cite book| author = Gerd Mevissen|editor1=Vivek Nanda|editor2=George Michell|title=Chidambaram: Home of Nataraja|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jurVAAAAMAAJ |year=2004 |publisher=Marg |isbn=978-81-85026-64-0|pages=86–87}}</ref>

The surviving south ''gopuram'' called the ''Sokkaseeyan Thirunilai Ezhugopuram'' was constructed by a [[Pandya]] king identified from the presence of the dynasty's fish emblem sculpted on the ceiling. The Pandyas sculpted two fishes facing each other when they completed ''gopurams'' (and left it with one fish, in case it was incomplete).<ref>Encyclopædia Britannica (India) 2000, p. 64.</ref> Other artwork found on the southern gopuram include Chandesha, Ganapati, Vishnu, Sridevi (Lakshmi), several Devis, Brahma, Saraswati, Surya, Chandra, Durga, Indra, Agni, several ''[[rishi]]s'', Ganga and Yamuna goddesses, Kama and Rati, Budha, the Vedic sages such as Narada, Pantanjali, Somaskanda legend, Ardhanarishvara (half Shiva, half Parvati), Harihara (half Vishnu, half Shiva), several forms of dancing and standing Shiva such as Pashupata, Kiratarjuna and Lingobhava, as well as others.<ref name="Michell2004p86"/>

[[File:13th century collage of Natya Sastra dance mudra on Chidambaram Nataraja temple eastern gopura.jpg|thumb|left|The eastern gopura wall shows all 108 dance postures from the ''[[Natya Shastra]]''.<ref>{{cite book|author=James C. Harle|title=Temple Gateways in South India: The Architecture and Iconography of the Cidambaram Gopuras|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=iZ5NAAAAYAAJ| year=1995|publisher=Oxford University Press (Reprinted: Munshiram Manoharlal)|isbn=978-81-215-0666-3|page=52}}</ref> The other gopuras also have dance images.<ref>{{cite book| author = Gerd Mevissen|editor1=Vivek Nanda|editor2=George Michell|title=Chidambaram: Home of Nataraja|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jurVAAAAMAAJ |year=2004 |publisher=Marg |isbn=978-81-85026-64-0|page=91 with figure 12}}</ref>]]
The eastern gopuram features the 108 reliefs of Natya Shastra dance postures (22&nbsp;cm each in a separate niche) and faces the sanctum.<ref name="Soundara Rajan">[[#Soundara|Soundara Rajan 2001]]</ref><ref name="National">[[#National|National Geographic 2008]], p. 268</ref> The eastern gopuram is credited to king Koperunsingan II (1243-1279 CE) as per epigraphical records<ref>[[#Arch|Southern Circle 1903]], p. 5</ref> and was repaired with support from a woman named Subbammal in the late 18th century.

The northern gopuram was repaired and finished by the [[Vijayanagara]] king [[Krishnadevaraya]] (1509-1530 CE) in the 16th century.<ref name="Dehejia" /> The eastern and northern gopura also depicts the wide range of narratives as the southern and western gopuram.<ref name="Michell2004p86"/>

The idols of Pachaiappa Mudaliar and his wife Iyalammal have been sculpted on the eastern ''gopuram''. The Pachaiappa Trust to date has been responsible for various functions in the temple and also maintain the temple car. The eastern gopuram is renowned for its complete enumeration of 108 poses of Indian classical dance – [[Bharathanatyam]], detailed in small rectangular panels along the passage that leads to the gateway.

===Shrines===
[[File:Chidambaram (6).jpg|thumb|The Chidambaram temple complex includes gopura, vimana and the sacred pool]]
The temple complex has many shrines, most of which are related to [[Shaivism]], [[Vaishnavism]], and [[Shaktism]]. The innermost structures such as the sanctum and the shrines, all have square plans, but the gateways do not align except the innermost two courtyards.<ref name="Michell2004p12">{{cite book| author1=Vivek Nanda|author2=George Michell|title=Chidambaram: Home of Nataraja|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jurVAAAAMAAJ |year=2004 |publisher=Marg |isbn=978-81-85026-64-0|pages=12–14}}</ref><ref name="dehejia101">Dehejia 1990, pp. 101-105</ref>

====Shaivism====
The sanctum of the temple is set inside the innermost 1st prakara which is a square with about {{convert|44|m}} side. This prakara is offset towards the west inside the 2nd prakara, which is also a square with about {{convert|105|m}} side.<ref name="Michell2004p12"/> The Shiva sanctum is unusual as it does not have a Shivalinga, rather it has the Chit Sabha (consciousness gathering, also called ''chit ambalam'') with an image of Shiva Nataraja. This introspective empty space has a curtained space that is 3.5 meter long and 1.5 meter wide. It is called the ''rahasya'' (secret) in Hindu texts. It consists of two layers, one red, the other black. According to George Michell, this is a symbolism in Hinduism of "enlightenment inside, illusion outside". It is replaced on the tenth day of the main festivals.<ref>{{cite book|author=George Michell|title=Temple Towns of Tamil Nadu|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=D3XXAAAAMAAJ|year=1993|publisher=Marg Publications|isbn=978-81-85026-21-3|page=68}}</ref> The [[Chidambara Rahasiyam|Chidambaram Rahasya]] is the "formless" representation of Shiva as the metaphysical [[Brahman]] in Hinduism, sometimes explained as ''akasha linga'' and divine being same as Self ([[Atman (Hinduism)|Atman]]) that is everywhere, in everything, eternally.<ref>{{cite book|author=Karen Pechilis|title=Interpreting Devotion: The Poetry and Legacy of a Female Bhakti Saint of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pDbbCgAAQBAJ |year=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-50705-2|pages=228 footnote 51}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=B. R. Rajam Aiyar|title=Rambles in Vedanta|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=89doofWiWJIC&pg=PA510|year=1996|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0912-3|pages=510–512}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Michael Brand|title=The Vision of Kings: Art and Experience in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HPlIAQAAIAAJ|year=1995|publisher=National Gallery of Australia|isbn=978-0-642-13039-6|pages=24–25}}</ref>

Facing the ''Chit Sabha'' is the ''Kanaka Sabha'' (also called ''pon ambalam''), or the gathering of dancers. These two sanctum spaces are connected by five silver gilded steps called the ''panchakshara''. The ceiling of the Chit Sabha is made of wooden pillars coated with gold, while copper coats the Kanaka Sabha is copper colored.<ref name="Michell2004p55">{{cite book| author1=Vivek Nanda|author2=George Michell|title=Chidambaram: Home of Nataraja|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jurVAAAAMAAJ |year=2004 |publisher=Marg |isbn=978-81-85026-64-0|pages=15, 55–58}}</ref>

====Vaishnavism====
{{Main|Govindaraja Perumal Temple}}
The Nataraja temple complex incorporates Vaishnava themes and images like many Hindu temples in South India. A Vishnu shrine is found inside the sanctum of the temple in its southwest corner. According to George Michell and others, Chola kings revered Shiva, with Tyagaraja and Nataraja as their family deity. Yet, their urban Shaiva centers "echo a very strong substratum of Vaishnava traditions". This historic inclusiveness is reflected in Chidambaram with Vishnu Govindaraja in the same sanctum home by the side of Nataraja.<ref>{{cite book| author1=Vivek Nanda|author2=George Michell|title=Chidambaram: Home of Nataraja|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jurVAAAAMAAJ |year=2004 |publisher=Marg |isbn=978-81-85026-64-0|pages=125–126}}</ref> After the turmoil of the 14th century when the temple was attacked and looted, there was period when some priests sought to restore only Shaiva iconography according to extant Portuguese Jesuit records. However, the Vijayanagara rulers insisted on the re-consecration of all historic traditions.<ref>T.B. Balusubramanyan (1961), "Chidambaram in Vijayanagara Days," Journal of the Bombay Historical Society, Vol. IV, pages 40-53</ref> The temple inscriptions confirm that Vishnu was included along with Shiva in the temple's earliest version, and was reinstalled when the temple was reopened by the Vijayanagara kings.{{sfn|Ayyar|1993|pp=227-228, 242}}<ref name="Michell 1995, p. 79">[[#Michell|Michell 1995]], p. 79</ref>

Some texts from the time of king Kulottunga II give conflicting reports, wherein the Shaiva texts state that the king removed the Vishnu image while Vaishnava texts state that they took it away and installed it in Tirupati, sometime about 1135 CE. The scholar [[Vedanta Desika]] re-established the co-consecration in 1370 CE, about the time Vijayanagara Empire conquered Chidambaram and northern Tamil lands from the Madurai Sultanate.{{sfn|Ayyar|1993|pp=227-228, 242}} The current shrine, states Michell, is from 1539 financed by king Achyutaraya and it features a reclining figure of Vishnu.<ref name="Michell 1995, p. 79"/>

The Govindaraja shrine is one of the 108 holy temples of Vishnu called ''[[divyadesam]]'', revered by the 7th-to-9th-century saint poets of ''[[Vaishnava]]'' tradition, ''[[Alwars]]''.<ref name="Sundar">[[#K.R.|Sundararajan 2003]], p. 263</ref> [[Kulashekhara Alwar]] mentions this temple as ''Tillai Chitrakutam'' and equates [[Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh|Chitrakuta]] of ''[[Ramayana]]'' fame with this shrine.<ref>[[#Dubey|Dubey 1996]], p. 51</ref> The shrine has close connections with the Govindaraja temple in [[Tirupati (city)|Tirupati]] dating back to saint [[Ramanuja]] of the 11th and 12th centuries.<ref name="Hüsken">[[#Husken|Hüsken 2009]], p. 197</ref><ref name="Aiyangar">[[#Aiyangar|Aiyangar 1991]], pp. 217-221</ref>

[[File:A view of Nataraja Shiva Temple at Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu (23).jpg|thumb|left|Durga in the Shivakama Sundari shrine, in her [[Mahishasuramardini]] form killing the buffalo demon below her foot.]]

====Shaktism====
The main Devi shrine in the Nataraja temple complex is offset towards the north of the sanctum inside the third prakara, and found to the west of the Shivaganga pool. It is called the Shivakama Sundari shrine, dedicated to Parvati. The temple faces east and has an embedded square plan, though the stacked squares created a long rectangular space. The shrine has its own walls and an entrance gateway (gopura). Inside is the dedicated mandapas and brightly colored frescoes likely from the 17th-century Vijayanagara period.<ref>[[#Michell|Michell 1995]], pp. 220-223</ref> These narrate the story of Shiva and Vishnu together challenging the "learned sages, ascetics and their wives" in the forest, by appearing in the form of a beautiful beggar that dances (bhikshatanamurti) and a beautiful girl that seduces (Mohini) respectively. Another set of frescoes are secular depicting temple festivities and daily life of people, while a stretch narrates the story of Hindu saints named Manikkavachakar and Mukunda.<ref>{{cite book|author=George Michell|title=Southern India: A Guide to Monuments Sites & Museums|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=GdBbBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT374|year =2013|publisher= Roli Books|isbn=978-81-7436-903-1|page=374}}</ref><ref>[[#Michell|Michell 1995]], pp. 222-233</ref>

The shrine had artwork narrating the ''[[Devi Mahatmya]]'', a classic Sanskrit text of Shaktism tradition. However, in 1972, these were removed given their dilapidated state. These were replaced with a different story.<ref>[[#Michell|Michell 1995]], pp. 222-223</ref> Other parts of the paintings and shrine also show great damage.<ref>{{cite book|author=David Smith|title=The Dance of Siva: Religion, Art and Poetry in South India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fTLlcGlkdjkC|year=2003|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-52865-8|page=34}}</ref>

The sanctum of the Shivakama Sundari shrine is dedicated to Devi, where she is Shiva's knowledge (''jnana shakti''), desire (''iccha sakti''), action (''kriya sakti'') and compassion (''karuna sakti'').<ref name=smith137>{{cite book|author=David Smith|title=The Dance of Siva: Religion, Art and Poetry in South India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fTLlcGlkdjkC|year=2003|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-52865-8|pages=99, 135–138, 2}}</ref> The oldest Shivakama Sundari sculpture at the site representing these aspects of the goddess has been dated to the king Parantaka I period, about 950 CE.<ref name=smith137/>

{{multiple image
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 | width = 200
 | footer = The circumambulation paths in shrines, the mandapa's moulded plinth and the pilgrim hall pillars of the Nataraja temple are carved with reliefs showing dancers and musicians.
 | image1 = Le temple de Shiva Nataraja (Chidambaram, Inde) (14052227563).jpg
 | image2 = Dancers and Musicians reliefs along the walkway at Chidambaram Shiva Hindu temple.jpg
}}

====Others====
The Nataraja temple has a pre-13th-century [[Surya]] shrine. The image is unusual as it depicts a three headed Surya same as Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu, with eight hands holding iconographic items of these deities, along with two lotuses in a pair of hands in front, accompanied by two small female figures possibly Usha and Pratyusha, standing on a chariot drawn by seven horses and Aruna as charioteer.<ref>{{cite book| author1=Vivek Nanda|author2=George Michell|title=Chidambaram: Home of Nataraja|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jurVAAAAMAAJ |year=2004 |publisher=Marg |isbn=978-81-85026-64-0|page=89}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=H.K. Sastri|title=Indian Images Of Gods And Goddesses|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yH3XAAAAMAAJ|year=2003|publisher=Bharatiya Kala Prakashan|isbn=978-81-86050-99-6|page=67}}</ref> The temple also has a significant shrine for [[Ganesha]] in the southwest corner and a [[Kartikeya|Subrahmanyar]] shrine in the northwest corner of the third courtyard.<ref name="Harle 1994, pp. 321-323"/><ref name="Pal 1988, p. 36"/>

===Halls: sabha===
The temple has many halls called ''sabha'' (lit. "community gathering", also called ''ambalams'' or ''sabhai'') inside the complex. Two of these are the Chit Sabha and the Kanaka Sabha inside the sanctum area of the Nataraja shrine, described earlier.<ref name="Michell2004p55"/> The other halls are:

====Nrithya sabha====
Nrithya sabha (also called Nritta Sabha, Natya sabha, or "Hall of Dance") is a "so-called 56-pillared" hall. It is in the south section of the second courtyard that circumambulates the Nataraja sanctum of the complex. This second courtyard is near the temple's flag mast (''kodi maram'' or ''dwaja sthambam''). The 13th-century Nritta Sabha is traditionally considered as the place where Shiva and Kali originally entered into a dance competition.<ref name=gerdm60/> Shiva won with the ''urdhva-tandava'' pose that raised his right leg straight up, a posture that Kali refused because she was a woman. The hall is rectangular consisting of three stacked squares, a 15-meter-sided square that is the main hall, which is connected to 4 meters by 8 meters rectangular ''mukha-mandapa'' to its north. The hall now has 50 pillars, but evidence suggests that it may have had 56 or more pillars earlier.<ref name=gerdm60/> These pillars are intricately carved from top to bottom. The lower levels have dancers in ''Natya Shastra'' mudras accompanied with expressive musicians as if both are enjoying creating the music and the dance. The pillars also have embedded narratives of legends from Hindu texts, such as of Durga fighting the buffalo demon, as well as humorous dwarfs frolicking. Below the kapota, the structures show reliefs of seated people, many in ''namaste'' posture, some with a beard and yogi like appearance representing saints and rishis. Nearly 200 of these are still visible, rest appear to have been damaged or eroded over time.<ref name=gerdm60>{{cite book|author=Gerd Mevissen |year=2002| title= Foundations of Indian Art| editor= R Nagaswamy| publisher= Tamil Arts Academy| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=vgp0QgAACAAJ| pages= 61–63}}</ref><ref name=mevissen345>Gerd Mevissen (1996), Chidambaram – N¡ttasabha, Architektur, Ikonographie und Symbolik (in German), Berliner Indologische Studien, 9/10, pp. 345-384</ref>

The Nrithya Sabha platform's base is carved as a chariot, with horses and wheels, as if it is rising out the ground. Historic texts state that the wheels were exquisitely carved and visible in the past, each about 1.25 meters (4.1 ft) in diameter with 28 spokes and 33 medallions, the chariot has ornamented horses 1.55 meters (5.1 ft) in height, on the wheel is a seated rishi as if he was guiding the movement. Only remnants of this structure remains now.<ref name=gerdm62/> The northern niche of the hall is carved with 14 figures in addition to Shiva as Kanakamurti. The Shiva image had been damaged and is now restored. The 14 figures include Surya (sun god), Chandra (moon god) and 12 rishis of which Narada and Tumburu with Vina can be identified, the others have been too damaged to identify but are likely Vedic rishis. Near them are women in seductive postures, some nudes, likely the wives of the rishis.<ref name=gerdm62/>  Next to the northern niche with Shiva are two smaller niches, one for Patanjali seated on coiled serpent and another for Vyaghrapada, two mythical Chidambaram saints. The western wall also has a niche with a large Shiva image in his Vrisabhantika form. Once again rishis are with him, this time in ''namaste'' posture. A few figures are dressed royally like warriors and these may be representation of the Chola kings.<ref name=mevissen345/><ref name=gerdm62>{{cite book|author=Gerd Mevissen |year=2002| title= Foundations of Indian Art| editor= R Nagaswamy| publisher= Tamil Arts Academy| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=vgp0QgAACAAJ| pages= 62–63}}</ref>

The hall's center is an open square, with an ornate inverted lotus ceiling decoration.<ref name=gerdm63/> Around this lotus are 108 coffers, each with two human figures in ''namaste'' posture, all oriented to be along the north–south axis likely to suggest the direction to performance artists who would perform live and aligning themselves to the ''chit sabha'' in the sanctum.<ref name=gerdm63>{{cite book|author=Gerd Mevissen |year=2002| title= Foundations of Indian Art| editor= R Nagaswamy| publisher= Tamil Arts Academy| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=vgp0QgAACAAJ| pages= 63–64}}</ref>

{{multiple image
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| image1 = Le temple de Shiva Nataraja (Chidambaram, Inde) (14037043122).jpg
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| caption1 = Carved pillars in a temple hall.
| image2 = Raja Sabha thousand pillar hall northeast side of Nataraja temple complex Chidambaram.jpg
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| caption2 = The damaged 1,000 pillar hall.
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}}

====Raja sabha: 1,000 pillar hall====
Raja sabha or the 1000-pillared hall is to the east of the Shivaganga pool, in the northeast part of the third courtyard. A pillared pathway from the eastern gopuram leads to it. It was a choultry for pilgrims with a convenient access to the pool. The hall's lower mouldings have dance mudras and medieval era musical instruments being played by musicians. The pillars have reliefs. It is now kept closed, except for festivals.

====Shatasila sabha: 100 pillar hall====
This is northwest of the sanctum, south of the Devi shrine. It is badly damaged and closed to public.

====Deva sabha====
Deva Sabhai is on the eastern side of the second courtyard. It is called ''Perampalam'', literally "Great Hall" in the inscriptions, which suggests that it is an early structure and was historically important.<ref name=nanda15>{{cite book| author1=Vivek Nanda|author2=George Michell|title=Chidambaram: Home of Nataraja|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jurVAAAAMAAJ |year=2004 |publisher=Marg |isbn=978-81-85026-64-0|pages=15–16}}</ref> According to Nanda and Michell, this may be the hall where Shaiva bhakti saints [[Nayanars]] came and sang hymns. It may also have hosted royal visits during the Chola era times.<ref name=nanda15/>

The Deva sabha (divine gathering hall) houses the temple's revered collection of historic bronze sculptures and modern era frescoes. One of the paintings show Parvati seated in a chair, watching the Nrithya sabha hall.<ref>{{cite book|author=David Smith|title=The Dance of Siva: Religion, Art and Poetry in South India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fTLlcGlkdjkC|year=2003|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-52865-8|pages=99–100}}</ref>

===Temple tanks===
{{multiple image
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| image1 = Sacred Tank and Pagoda at Chillambaran, India, c 1870.jpg
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| caption1 = Sacred pool sketched in the 1870s.
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| caption2 = It is locally called the Sivaganga (சிவகங்கை).
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The Chidambaram temple is well endowed with several water bodies within and around the temple complex.

* Sivaganga [[Temple tank|tank]]<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rajarajan|first=R.K.K.|date=2016|title='Tirukkuḷam' or 'Teppakkuḷam' of South India: 'Jalavāstu'|url=https://www.academia.edu/34301669|journal=Pandanus '16: Nature in Literature, Art, Myth and Ritual|volume=10|issue=2|pages=83–104}}</ref> is in the third corridor of the temple opposite to the shrine of Shivagami.  It is accessed by flights of stone steps leading from the shrine.<ref name="Deh100">[[#Dehejia|Dehejia 1990]], p. 100</ref>
* Paramanandha koobham is the well on the eastern side of the Chitsabha hall from which water is drawn for sacred purposes.<ref name="Caṇmukam" />
[[File:Temple Tank in Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram.jpg|thumb|left|Temple Tank in Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram]]
* Kuyya theertham is situated to the north-east of Chidambaram in Killai near the [[Bay of Bengal]] and has the shore called Pasamaruthanthurai.<ref name="Caṇmukam">[[#Caṇmukam|Caṇmukam Meyyappan]] 1992, pp. 21-22</ref>
* Pulimedu is situated around a kilometer and a half to the south of Chidambaram.<ref name="Caṇmukam" />
* Vyagrapatha Theertham is situated on to the west of the temple opposite to the temple of Ilamai Akkinaar.<ref name="Caṇmukam" />
* Anantha Theertham is situated to the west of the temple in front of the Anantheswarar temple.<ref name="Caṇmukam" />
* Nagaseri tank is situated to the west of the Anantha thirtham.<ref name="Caṇmukam" />
* Brahma Theertham is situated to the north-west of the temple at Thirukalaanjeri.<ref name="Caṇmukam" />
* Underground channels at the shrine drain excess water in a northeasterly direction to the Shivapriyai temple tank of the [[Thillai Kali Temple, Chidambaram]]. Due to poor maintenance, it has not been in use.<ref>C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation. C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre. (2002). Sacred tanks of South India. pp.53. OCLC number:56597817</ref>
* Thiruparkadal is the tank to the south-east of the Shivapriyai tank.<ref name="Caṇmukam" />

===Inscriptions===

Even though the history of the temple goes back to the ''Prabhandas'' and ''Tevaram'', that is the [[Pallava]] period, the earliest known inscriptions are only that of [[Rajendra Chola]] and [[Kulothunga I]] followed by [[Vikrama Chola]] and other later rulers.<ref name="P. V. Jagadisa Ayyar 1982 221">{{cite book|author=P. V. Jagadisa Ayyar|title=South Indian Shrines: Illustrated|publisher=Asian Educational Services|year=1982|page=221}}</ref> The Nataraja temple inscriptions are notable for mentioning a library of manuscripts in temple premises.<ref name="Scharfe2002p183"/> Two inscriptions dated to the early 13th century mention re-organization of old temple library. According to Hartmut Scharfe, the older library mentioned may date to the early 12th century.<ref name="Scharfe2002p183"/> The inscriptions, states Scharfe, recite that the temple employed twenty librarians, of which eight copied old manuscripts to create new editions, two verified the copy matched the original and four managed the proper storage of the manuscripts.<ref name="Scharfe2002p183">{{cite book|author=Hartmut Scharfe|title=Education in Ancient India (Handbook of Oriental Studies Series)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7s19sZFRxCUC&pg=PA183 |year=2002|publisher =BRILL|isbn =90-04-12556-6| pages=183–184}}</ref>
 
There are many Chola inscriptions in the temple, both in Tamil and Sanskrit.<ref>{{cite book|author=Jack Finegan|title=An Archaeological History of Religions of Indian Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BrDXAAAAMAAJ |year=1989|publisher=Paragon |isbn=978-0-913729-43-4|page=170}}</ref> These are attributed to [[Rajendra Chola]] I (1012-1044 CE), [[Kulothunga Chola I|Kulothunga Chola]] I (1070-1120 CE), [[Vikrama Chola]] (1118-1135 CE), [[Rajadhiraja Chola II]] (1163 -1178 CE), [[Kulothunga Chola III]] (1178-1218 CE) and [[Rajaraja Chola III]] (1216-1256 CE).<ref name="P. V. Jagadisa Ayyar 1982 221"/> Pandya inscriptions date from Thribhuvana Chakravarthi Veerapandiyan, Jataavarman Thribhuvana Chakravarthi Sundarapaandiyan (1251-1268 CE) and Maaravarman Thribhuvana Chakravarthi Veerakeralanaagiya Kulashekara Pandiyan (1268-1308 CE). Pallava inscriptions are available for king Avani Aala Pirandhaan Ko-pperum-Singha (1216-1242 CE). Vijayanagara Kings mentioned in inscriptions are Veeraprathaapa Kiruttina Theva Mahaaraayar (1509-1529 CE), Veeraprathaapa Venkata Deva Mahaaraayar, Sri Ranga Theva Mahaaraayar, Atchyutha Deva Mahaaraayar (1529-1542 CE) and Veera Bhooopathiraayar. One of the inscriptions from the descendant of Cheramaan Perumal nayanar, Ramavarma Maharaja has been found.

===Ratha/Chariot===
{{multiple image
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| image1 = Chidambaram festival.jpg
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| caption1 = The Ratha of Natraja used during festival processions.
| image2 = Chidambaram Shiva.jpg
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| caption2 = An 1820 painting of Nataraja in a temple chariot.
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The Chidambaram Ratha is used for processions twice a year, where it is drawn by several thousand devotees during the festivals.<ref>{{cite book|title=A Remarkable Political Journey|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XL8wBQAAQBAJ&q=thiruvarur+temple&pg=PA121|page=121|first=Shanmuganathan|last=V.|isbn=9788184302578|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan|year=2014}}</ref>

=== Significance of the architecture ===
The temple sanctum contains a silver sculpture of Shiva in his [[Ananda Tandava|Ānanda-tāṇḍava]] Nataraja aspect. It signifies:
* The demon under Lord Nataraja's feet signifies that ignorance is under His feet.<ref name="Storl">[[#Storl|Storl 2004]], p. 140</ref>
* The fire in His hand means He is the destroyer of evil.<ref name="Storl"/>
* The raised hand (''Abhaya'' or ''Pataka [[mudra]]'') signifies that He is the savior of all life forms.<ref name="Storl"/>
* The arc of fire called ''Thiruvashi'' or ''Prabhavati'' signifies the cosmos and the perpetual motion of the earth.
* The drum in His hand signifies the origin of life forms.<ref name="Storl"/><ref>[[#Subramuniyaswami|Subramuniyaswami 2004]], p. 848</ref>
* The lotus pedestal signifies [[Om]], the sound of the universe.
* His right eye, left eye and third eye signify the sun, moon and fire/knowledge, respectively.
* His right earring (''makara kundalam'') and left earring (''sthri kundalam'') signifies the union between man and woman (right is man, left is woman).
* The crescent moon in His hair signifies benevolence and beauty.<ref name="Storl"/>
* The flowing of river [[Ganges]] through His matted hair signifies eternity of life.
* The dreading of His hair and drape signify the force of His dance.<ref name="Storl"/>

===Bhakti movement===
There is no reference to the temple in [[Sangam literature]] of the 1st to 5th centuries and the earliest mention is found in 6th-century [[Tamil literature]].<ref name="Kulke" /> The temple and the deity were immortalized in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] poetry in the works of ''[[Thevaram]]'' by three poet saints belonging to the 7th century - [[Thirugnana Sambanthar]], [[Thirunavukkarasar]] and [[Sundaramoorthy Nayanar]].<ref name="Jones">[[#Jone|Jones 2007]], p. 107</ref> Thirugnana Sambanthar has composed 2 songs in praise of the temple, Thirunavukkarasar aka Appar 8 Tevarams in praise of Nataraja and Sundarar 1 song in praise of Nataraja. Sundarar commences his ''Thiruthondar thogai'' (the sacred list of Lord Shiva's 63 devotees) paying his respects to the priests of the Thillai temple - "To the devotees of the priests at Thillai, I am a devotee". The works of the first three saints, Thirumurai were stored in palm leaf manuscripts in the temple and were recovered by the Chola King [[Rajaraja Chola]]<ref name="Soundara Rajan" /> under the guidance of Nambiandarnambi.

[[Manikkavasagar]], the 10th-century ''saivite'' poet has written two works, the first called [[Tiruvasakam]] (The sacred utterances) which largely has been sung in Chidambaram and the ''Thiruchitrambalakkovaiyar'' (aka Thirukovaiyar), which has been sung entirely in the temple. Manikkavasagar is said to have attained spiritual bliss at Chidambaram. The Chidambaram Mahatmiyam composed during the 12th century explain the subsequent evolution and de-sanskritization.<ref name="Kulke">[[#Kulke|Kulke 2004]], p. 145</ref>

==Rituals==
A unique feature of this temple is the bejewelled image of Lord Nataraja as the main deity. It depicts Lord Shiva as the master of [[Koothu]]-[[Bharata Natyam]] and is one of the few temples where Lord Shiva is represented by an anthropomorphic [[murthi]] rather than the classic, aniconic [[Lingam]].

At Chidambaram, the dancer dominates, not the linga as in other Shiva shrines. The Chitsabha houses a small [[Spatika Lingam]] (Chandramoulisvara), believed to be a piece that fell from the crescent adorning Lord Shiva's head and installed by [[Adi Shankara]]. Daily [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] is offered to the spatik linga (six times) and also to a small Ruby figure of Nataraja called Ratnasabhapati (once, at 10-30 am).
The main sanctum also encloses Chidambara Rahasya - the divine chakra adorned with golden bilva leaves. This remains hidden, and only during the pooja times (six times a day) Rahasya Darshan will be offered to the devotees.
Rahasya emanates the vastness and formlessness of Akash, the divinity that is the highest form of Supremacy (ether form of five elements).

==Festivals==
[[File:சிதம்பரம் நாட்டியாஞ்சலி விழா.JPG|thumb|Natyanjali Festival in the temple]]
A whole year for men is said to be a single day for the gods. Just as six poojas are performed in a day at the sanctum sanctorum, six anointing ceremonies are performed for the principal deity – [[Nataraja]] in a year.
They are the Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai (in December–January) indicating the first puja, the fourteenth day after the new moon ([[Chaturdashi]]) of the month of Masi (February–March) indicating the second pooja, the Chittirai Thiruvonam (in April–May), indicating the third pooja or uchikalam, the Uthiram of Aani (June–July) also called the Aani Thirumanjanam indicating the evening or the fourth puja, the chaturdasi of Aavani (August–September) indicating the fifth puja and the chaturdasi of the month of Puratasi (October–November) indicating the sixth pooja or Arthajama. Of these the Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai (in December–January) and the Aani Thirumanjanam (in June–July) are the most important. These are conducted as the key festivals with the main deity being brought outside the sanctum sanctorum in a procession that included a temple car procession followed by a long anointing ceremony.<ref name="Let's Go, Inc">[[#Let|Let's Go, Inc 2004]], p. 597</ref> Several hundreds of thousands of people flock the temple to see the anointing ceremony and the ritualistic dance of Shiva when he is taken back to the sanctum sanctorum. Lord Shiva, in his incarnation of Nataraja, is believed to have been born on full moon day in the constellation of ''Ardra'', the sixth lunar mansion. Lord Shiva is bathed only 6 times a year, and on the previous night of ''Ardra'', the bath rituals are performed on a grand scale.<ref name="Sastri">[[#Sastri|Sastri 2002]], pp. 2-9</ref>  Pots full of milk, pomegranate juices, coconut water, ghee, oil, sandal paste, curds, holy ashes, and other liquids and solids, considered as sacred offering to the deity are used for the sacred ablution.<ref name="Sastri" />

==Administration==
The temple was originally administered by an exclusive group of Brahmins who were called the ''Thillai Muvayiravar'' or the ''Three Thousand of Thillai''. They were originally the ritual arbiters of imperial legitimacy in the Chola Empire, ritually crowning successive Chola monarchs. [[Kulottunga Chola I]], during his rule, introduced priests from [[Vengi]], his original homeland to perpetuate the myth of the ''Tillai three thousand'' in order to legitimize his royal and priestly power.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Tyagaraja Cult in Tamilnadu: A Study in Conflict and Accommodation|author=Rajeshwari Ghose|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited|year=1996|page=288}}</ref> Currently, the temple is managed by a community  known    as [[Dikshitar]]s. They live in [[Chidambaram]] and also serve as the hereditary trustees of the temple.<ref>{{cite book|author=B. Natarajan|title=The city of the cosmic dance: Chidambaram, Volume 2 of Southern art series|publisher=Orient Longman|year=1974|page=128}}</ref> Every Dikshitar once he is married becomes as of right a trustee and ''archaka'' of the temple. A practice unique to the community is that the priests wear the tuft of hair in front of the head similar to the [[Nambudiri|Nambuthiri]] Brahmans of [[Kerala]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Viravanallur Gopalier Ramakrishna Ayyar|title=The Economy of a South Indian Temple: (Sankara Parvati Prize Essay of the Madras University)|publisher=Annamalai University|year=1946|page=50}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

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{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram}}
* [https://www.jstor.org/stable/4128341 Shiva as 'Cosmic Dancer': On Pallava Origins for the Nataraja Bronze], Sharada Srinivasan (2004)
* [https://www.jstor.org/stable/24713649 The Great Ārdrā Darśanam Festival: Performing Śaiva Ritual Texts in Contemporary Chidambaram], Aleksandra Wenta (2013)
* [https://www.jstor.org/stable/29756764 The Citamparam Temple Complex and Its Evolution], Paul Younger (1986)

{{Shaivism}}
{{Shiva temples}}
{{Tiruvicaippa and Thirupallandu Talangal}}
{{Hindudharma}}

[[Category:Pancha Sabhai]]
[[Category:Pancha Bhoota Stalam]]
[[Category:Padal Petra Stalam]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Cuddalore district]]
[[Category:Chola architecture]]
[[Category:Temples with Bharatanatyam Karanas]]
[[Category:Hindu temples sacked in the Muslim period in the Indian subcontinent]]