Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

Sthala Puranam

The town was once the Thillai forest, named after the thillai (mangrove) trees there. Two sages, Patanjali and Vyaghrapada, set up a Shiva lingam and waited for Shiva to show them his dance.

Shiva appeared at Chidambaram and performed the Ananda Tandava, the dance of bliss.

Another story tells of a dance contest between Shiva and Parvati as Kali, judged first by Brahma and then by Vishnu. Shiva won with a pose in which he picked up an earring with his foot, a pose she could not match. Kali is worshipped at the Thillai Kali temple nearby.

Speciality

• Shiva is worshipped here in the dancing form, not only as a lingam.
• Chidambara Rahasyam: a space behind a curtain in the Chit Sabha, hung with golden bilva leaves. It stands for the formless, all-pervading Shiva (akasha).
• Five sabhas (halls): Chit Sabha, Kanaka Sabha, Nritta Sabha, Deva Sabha and Raja Sabha.
• The temple also has a Govindaraja Perumal (Vishnu) shrine inside the same complex.

Sthala Vriksham (sacred tree)

Thillai (Excoecaria agallocha, blinding tree)

Festivals

• Margazhi Thiruvadhirai (Arudra Darshan), December–January
• Aani Thirumanjanam, June–July
• Natyanjali on Maha Shivaratri

How to reach

Before you go

• Dress modestly. Leave footwear outside the temple.
• Timings, ticket rules and dress codes change. Check the temple's own notice or website before you travel.
• Book darshan, rooms and special poojas only at the official counter or website, not through agents.
• Ask at the temple office about archanai and abhishekam. Be careful with touts outside.

Prayers for this temple

• Shiva Tandava Stotram
• Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
• Shiva Gayatri (Rudra)