Chidambaram - Natarajar

Natarajar temple, Chidambaram, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu

• Meditation: I meditate on Lord Shiva dancing the Ananda Tandava in the Thillai forest.

• Natarajar: Natarajar temple of Chidambaram is a Pancha Bhoota Sthalam associated with the element of Akasha (Sky or Space). It is also a Paadal Petra Sthalam whose glory is sung by the Nayanmars. The legend of Chidambaram is mentioned in Chidambaram Mahatmya.

• Lord Shiva dancing the Tandava dance at Darukavana: Chidambaram is associated with the legend of Lord Shiva dancing the great Tandava dance. According to this legend, once Lord Shiva went to Darukavana in the form of a mendicant to remove the pride of learning of the rishis there. Shiva was having a begging bowl in his hand and He was accompanied by Mohini (Lord Vishnu in disguise of a beautiful woman). The wives of the rishis were greatly attracted by this beautiful pair. The rishis became angry because of this and tried to destroy them through supernatural powers. They sent a tiger. Shiva killed it and wrapped the tiger skin around His waist. Then they sent a poisonous serpent. Shiva tied it around His neck. Thereafter they sent Apasmara Muyalaka. Shiva crushed him under His feet. The rishis became humble and confessed defeat. Lord Shiva became pleased and started to dance the great Tandava dance before the gods and the rishis.

• Lord Shiva dancing the Tandava dance at Thillaivana: Lord Adisesha hearing the description of the great Tandava dance of Shiva yearned to see it himself. He performed penance and had the darshan of Lord Shiva. Shiva directed him to go to Thillaivana. Adisesha incarnated as Patanjali and went to that forest. Rishi Vyaghrapada also joined him there. Both of them started worshipping Lord Shiva in the form of a Lingam. (The hermitage of Patanjali is at Ananteeshwaram and Vyaghrapada at Tirupapuleeshwaram in Chidambaram). When the time was ripe, Lord Shiva appeared there in the form of Lord Natarajar and performed the Ananda Tandava in the presence of Devi Sivakamasundari, the gods and the rishis (including Patanjali and Vyaghrapada). The Chit Sabha, the innermost sanctum of the temple is the place where Lord Shiva is said to have performed the Ananda Tandava.

• Thiruchitrakootam Divya Desam: Chidambaram also has one of the 108 Divya Desams known as Thiruchitrakootam Divya Desam.

• Chidambaram is located in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu.

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