• Dr. P. Selvamani

The celebrated Nataraja temple at Chidambaram or Tillai as it is otherwise called, of Cuddalore District in Tamil Nadu is too well known to all.1 Chidambaram, known from time immemorial as ‘Koyil’ (the temple) has also other names such as Sitrambalam, Puliyur, Chitrakoota, Perumbarapuliyur, Pundareekapuram.2 From the early beginning of the origin of the Nataraja temple at Chidambaram, the most famed of five southern temples dedicated to Siva, represent Him as the deity of five elements – Earth (Kanchipuram) Water (Thiruvannaikkal), Fire (Tiruvannamalai), Air (Kalahasthi) and Ether (Chidambaram). At Chidambaram, Siva is represented as the element of Ether (Akasha).3 Chidambaram is the centre of the Saivite cult. The temple complex covers a vast area and is located in the centre of the city. The name is derived from the most important portion of the Nataraja temple, called ‘Chit-Ambala’ meaning the ‘atmosphere of wisdom’, or Mystic Hall.4 This concedes within itself the secret symbol of God. When a veil over a semi-circular doorway in the ‘sanctum sanctorum’ is parted, it reveals more ‘ethereal space’ - symbolic of Siva in His manifestation of the “Formless Form” in “invisible presence” - a profound indication of a solution to the mystery of life, which is explained in one word - “Nothingness”.5

THE ARCHITECTURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF CHIDAMBARAM NATARAJA TEMPLE - A STUDY

"THE ARCHITECTURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF CHIDAMBARAM NATARAJA TEMPLE - A STUDY ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no.500-504, June 2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1907674.pdf

"THE ARCHITECTURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF CHIDAMBARAM NATARAJA TEMPLE - A STUDY ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no. pp500-504, June 2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1907674.pdf