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THE TEMPLE OF THE DANCING SHIVABy Raja Deekshithar |
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Introduction
History Temple Doctrine Mahatmyam Special Features Rituals and Festivals |
Daily worship Deekshithars, Tillai Three Thousand Mysterious Friday Evening Opening Hours and Puja Timings How to reach Chidambaram Map to the Temple |
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INTRODUCTION The temple of Chidambaram is the home of the Dancing Shiva, Lord of Cosmic Dance, Shiva Nataraja. Nataraja dances the dance of Creation and Destruction. The dance of the atoms, stars and galaxies. It can lay claim to many unique features. The Trimurti or Trinity of Hinduism, Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer are all worshipped within one complex. Shiva, who is the presiding deity of this temple, is worshipped here in three aspects: as form; as formless form; and as formless. Besides being one of the largest temples in India, it is one of the very few temples practicing the Vedic tradition and rituals, where all other temples follow the Agamic doctrine of worship. The Vedic doctrine centers on the performance of the Yagna or fire sacrifice. This doctrine has been preserved by a community of hereditary priests is an unbroken, oral tradition. Called Deekshithars, they have been the guardians of the temple and its traditions since prehistoric times. At the time of the Chariot Festival the main murti or image of the shrine, the Nataraja himself, is taken out for the procession, whereas in other temples special festival murtis are taken in procession, while the main murti remains in the temple sanctum. This temple is open to all, without discrimination. The temple instructs visitors not to photograph or film any deities under worship. |
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