SRIRANGAM

SRIRANGAM

Saturday, October 15, 2011

28. Thiru Chitira Kootam - Chidambaram

 This Divya Desam is inside the Chidambaram Nataraja temple and is just a Sannidhi opposite to the Nataraja sannidhi. 

Once Nataraja (Shiva) and Thillai Kaali (Paarvathi) decided to display their dancing expertise and to see who had better skills among the two. Shiva looked up to Brahmma for his judgment, who asked them to perform at Thiru Vaalan Kaadu. Unable to come to a decision, Brahmma directed them to Vishnu, who created a dance sabha in Chitrakoodam, for the two to display their prowess here.

Vishnu is believed to have come down here and witnessed the dance contest between Shiva and Parvathi. With Shiva’s earring falling down, the audience believed that Shiva had lost. But Shiva, continuing his dance, picked up the earring with his leg and put it back in the ear while continuing to dance - Oorthuva Thaandam. Parvathi couldn’t match this and Vishnu judged Shiva the winner.

Vishnu was greatly impressed with Shiva’s dancing capabilities and enjoyed Nataraja’s dance duel with Thillai Kaali. Hence, Govindarajan is seen in a sleeping posture with his face directed towards Nataraja in the Northern direction. All forms of dance can be seen in art form within this temple.
Govindharaja Peurmal

Chidarambaram Rahasyam
One can see the Chidambaram Rahasyam (the Lord in the ‘form of a Yantram’) inside the sanctum of Nataraja, to his right. The Chidambaram Rahasyam is covered with a screen and is shown to devotees at regular intervals.
The Golden roof of Nataraja temple sanctum






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