Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CENTRAL TAMIL NADU
TOP OF CHAPTER
Chidambaram
04144 / POP 82,458
There's basically one reason to visit here: the great temple complex of Nataraja, Shiva as
the Dancer of the Universe. One of the holiest of all Shiva sites, this also happens to be a
Dravidian architectural highlight.
Of the town's many festivals, the two largest are the 10-day
chariot festivals
in June/July
and December/January. In February/March the five-day
Natyanjali Dance Festival
attracts clas-
sical dancers from all over India to the Nataraja Temple.
Most accommodation is close to the temple or the bus stand (500m southeast of the
temple). The train station is about 1km further southeast.
Sights
Nataraja Temple
( inner compound 6am-noon & 4.30-10pm)
The legend goes: one day Shiva and Kali got into a
dance-off that was judged by Vishnu. Shiva dropped an earring and picked it up with his
foot, a move that Kali could not duplicate, so Shiva won the title Nataraja (Lord of the
Dance). It is in this form that he is worshipped at this great temple, which draws an endless
stream of pilgrims and worshippers. The temple was erected during Chola times (Chidam-
baram was a Chola capital), but the shrines at its heart date back to at least the 6th century.
The high-walled 22-hectare complex has four towering
gopurams
decked out in schizo-
phrenic Dravidian stone and stucco work. The main entrance is through the east
gopuram,
off East Car St. In its passageway are carved the 108 sacred positions of classical Tamil
dance. To your right through the
gopuram
are the 1000-pillared
Raja Sabha
(King's Hall;
HINDU TEMPLE
fest-
ival days)
, and the large temple tank, the
Sivaganga
.
The central compound (no cameras allowed) is entered from the east. In its southern part
(left from the entrance) is the
Nritta Sabha
(Dance Hall)
, in the form of a chariot with 56 very
fine carved pillars. Some say this is the very spot where Shiva outdanced Kali.
