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 his 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 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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