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 !!
