Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Chidambaram (Chith+Ambaram = The Sky of Consciousness)/
Mukthisthalam/Pancha Boothasthalam/ Booloka Kailasam/ Thiruperumpuliyur Kshetram
is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located in
Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamil
Nadu. This is one of the oldest temples
of Lord Shiva occupies 40 acres of vast land with exquisite architectural and
stunning mural works. It has 4 majestic
Rajagopuram embellished with marvelous murals of deities and sages engraved on
it. This enormous temple was built during
the 11th century by The
Kings of Chola Dynasty and it has five wide circumambulatory paths surrounded by
stone wall. The Kings of Pallava, Chera
and Vijayanagara also have made abundance of contributions to this
temple.
Presiding deity – Kanakasaba – Saba Nayakar/Ponambala
Koothan/Thillai Koothan Thirumoolattanam – Thirumoolanathar/Moolattaneswarar
with his consort Goddess Sri
Sivakami/Shivakama Sundari (Kanaka Saba), Thirumoolattanam –
Umaiammai
Theertham – Shivangagai Theertham, Paramananda Koopam,
Kuyya Theertham, Puli Madu, Vygrapadha Theertham, Anantha Theertham, Nagaseri
Theertham, Brahma Theertham, Shivambikai Theertham,
Thiruparkadal.
Mangalasasanam – Thirunavukkarasar, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar,
Sundarar, Manikkavasagar,
These prominent Shivaite Saints popularly known as
Samayakkuravarkal – Thirunavukkarasar, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, Sundarar and
Manikkavasagar entered into the
temple premise through the 4 different entrances located in West, South, North
and East respectively. These
entrances are admirably known as
the main entrance to the temple Rajagopurams.
Worshipped
by – Sage Patanjali and his disciple Sage Vyagrapadhar, Sri Adi
Sankara
Significance
·
This is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalam of Lord Shiva
represents Sky. The others are Vayu
Lingam – Sri Kalahastheeswara at Kalahasthi, Prthvi Lingam – Sri Ekambaranathar
at Kanchipuram, Appu Lingam – Sri
Jambukeshwara at Thiruvanaikka and Agni Lingam – Sri Arunachaleswara at
Thiruvannamalai.
·
This is one of the Pancha Sabha Kshetram of Lord Shiva
represent ‘Kanaka Sabha’. The others are
Thiruvalangadu – Ratna Sabha, Madurai – Rajatha Sabha, Thirunelveli – Thamra
Sabha and Thirukutralam – Chitra Sabha
·
There are 5 Sabhas located within the premise of this
temple. They are Chit Sabha
(Chitrambalam) where Lord Nataraja performed his cosmic dance form of Ananda
Thandava – The Dance of Eternal Bliss along with his consort Goddess Sri
Sivakami, Kanaka Sabha (Ponnambalam) located just before the Chit Sabha where
worship of Spatika Linga and daily rituals are conducted, Raja Sabha also known as Ayiramkal Mandapam
where Lord Nataraja gives dharshan during the auspicious days in the month of
Ani and Markazhi from this glorious hall
situated here and its symbolizes Yogic Chakra – Sahasrararam/Sahasra Chakra the
state of divine union with the Shiva Shakthi form of Lord, Deva Sabha also known as (Perambalam) houses Lord
Somaskandha, Lord Ganesha, Lord Chandikeshwara, Goddess Shivananda Nayaki and
Lord Muruga. Last but not the least
Nirthya Sabha is one of the marvelous Hall where the idol Urdha Thadava of Lord
Nataraja can be seen. Lord Nataraja and
Goddess Parvati performed cosmic dance and Lord Nataraja won over his consort,
in this way Lord established his supremacy over Goddess Sri
Parvathy.
·
This is one of the Adhara Sthalam of Lord Shiva represent ‘
Hrudaya Sthalam’
·
This is one of the prominent temples of Goddess Sri Parvati
personifies as Iccha Shakthi, Gnana Shakthi and Kriya
Shakthi
·
Thirumoolanathar/Moolattaneswarar Linga positioned in this
outstanding Thirumoolattana Shivasthalam embraces the vibrant energies of All
the Lingas after midnight.
·
In this temple Lord Shiva can be seen in three
forms. Lord Nataraja in his cosmic dance
form, Lord Chandramouleeswara as Crystal Linga and
Lord in his formless nature where a sequence of 51 golden Vilva (Bael)
leaves hanging on an empty space traditionally known as Chidambara
Rahasyam. As mentioned earlier Lord Shiva
represent the Sky in this temple proves He is omnipresent, omnipotent and
omniscient.
·
The structural designs of this temple are one of the most
astonishing factors with the resemblance to the human body and its
subtleties. This temple located on the
center point of world’s magnetic equator. The five walls to the temple represent Annamaya
Kosa, Pranamaya Kosa, Manonmaya Kosa, Vignana Maya Kosa and the innermost is
Ananda Maya Kosa. The 9 gateways represent the 9 orifices (Nava
Dwaras) in human body. The Chit Sabhai,
the Sanctum Sanctorum symbolizes heart and the five flights of steps to it
represent the ‘Panchakshara Mantra’. The
four magnificent pillars which support the Chit Sabha stand for four Vedas such
as Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharva Vedas respectively.
The Ponnambalam is supported by 28 pillars represents the 28
methodologies of Shaiva Agama worship.
The roof is supported by 64 beams embodies the 64 Art forms. The several cross beams in between them
symbolizes innumerable blood vessels in the human body. The roof has been laid by 21,600 golden tiles
and each carries the Shivayanamah inscribed on it stands for the breaths and the
72,000 golden nails represents the veins in human body. The 9 Kalasas represents 9 forms of
energies. The six pillars of Ardha
Mandapa represents 6 Sastras and the hall next to it has 18pillars symbolizes
the 18 Puranas.
Sthalavruksham
– Tillaivanam
Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya with his consort
Goddesses Sri Valli & Deivayanai, Thiruchithrakoodam Sri Govindaraja
Perumal, Adhimoolanathar with his consort Goddess Umaiyammai worshipped by Sage
Patanjali and Sage Vyagrapadhar, 63 Nayanmars,
Kalpavruksha,
Festivals – Arudra Darisanam, Ani Vizha, Markazhi
Thiruvathirai Vizha, Masi festival, Chithirai Thiruvonam, Ani Thirumanjanam
& Avani Festival, Maha Shivaratri, Car Festival, Natyanjali
Festival.
The legend has that Sage Patanjali and his disciple Sage
Vyagrapadha arrived on this sacred land of Tillaivanam and found a
self-manifested Linga in a pond full of lotus flowers. They underwent severe austerities and
worshipped Lord. Lord Shiva was pleased
at the devotion of Sages and performed Ananda Thandava (Dance of eternal Bliss)
as desired by them. They earnestly prayed
to Lord to remain in the blissful dance form on this sacred land and attained
liberation.
The Spatika Linga – Lord
Chandramouliswara carries major part of the daily rituals. Lord Shiva while performing his blissful dance
form Ananda Thandava, the crescent (Lord Chandra) shaped moon fallen on the
Earth and turned out a Spatika Linga. The
sacred bath to Spatika Linga is performed 6 times a day.
Anand Thadava Posture symbolizes:
The demon under Lord's feet represents Lord as destroyer of
Ignorance/Ego
The Fire in His hand signifies Destroyer of Evil
Forces
The raised hands – Abhaya Hastha – Savior of life
The radiance (Aura) behind Lord reveals the perpetual motion of
the Universe
The drum beats represents the origin of ‘Om’ Pranava
Manthra (Origin of Sounds)
The left, right and the eye on forehead represents Lord
Sun, Lord Moon and Wisdom/Knowledge/Fire respectively.
The earrings on both the ears of Lord represent the union
of man and woman – The inseparable form of Lord as Shiva Shakthi. The right ear and left ear embellished with
Makara Kundalam and Stri Kundalam denotes the indivisible form of
Lord.
The crescent shaped Lord Chandra on his matted hair locks
symbolizes the perfect benevolence and splendor.
The matted hair locks and
Goddess Ganga signifies the absolute Energy and perpetuity of life in this
Universe.
This temple remains open from 6.00 AM to 12.00 PM in the
morning and 5.00 PM to 10.00 PM in the evenings.
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara
!!
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
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