Page 596 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

594  SOUTH INDIA

part of the complex, contains
the Chit Sabha or Chitambalam
(“Hall of Bliss”), from which the
town derives its name. This is the
main sanctum, housing one
of the five elemental lingas of
Shiva (see p588), the akasha linga,
which represents ether, the all-
pervading element central to
human existence. The inner
sanctum containing the linga is
hidden behind a black curtain,
symbolizing ignorance, which is
removed only during prayer time.
There is a certain aura of mystery
to this veiled sanctum, and it is
often called the Sacred Secret
of Chidambaram (Chidambara
Rahasyam). Finally, the fifth hall,
in front of the Chit Sabha, is the
Kanaka Sabha (“Golden Hall”),
where Shiva is supposed to have
performed his cosmic dance.
Other areas of interest in
the complex are the Govinda­
rajaswamy Shrine, housing
the reclining Vishnu, the
Shivakamasundari Shrine,
dedicated to Shiva’s consort,
Parvati, and the Subramanyam
Shrine, in which Murugan
Gold-plated roof of the main sanctum, Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram is worshipped.
Religious traditions in the
8 Chidambaram sculptures of the 108 hand temple are preserved by a
and feet movements of Bharat group of hereditary priests,
Thanjavur district. 60 km (37 miles)
S of Puducherry. * 59,000. £ @ Natyam (see p33), and is whose ancestors came to
_ Dance Festival (Feb/Mar), Arudhra considered a veritable Chidambaram 3,000 years ago.
(Dec/Jan). encyclopaedia of this classical Known as the dikshitars, they are
temple dance. easily recognized by
Sacred Chidambaram, where Within the temple’s their top-knots.
Shiva is believed to have three enormous Chidambaram’s other
performed his cosmic dance, enclosures are five claim to fame is the
the tandava nritya, is a major halls (sabhas), modern Annamalai
traditional temple town where each conceived for a University, which
history merges with mythology special purpose. In the is located to the
to create a deeply religious outer enclosure, next east. Founded by a
ambience. All ancient Hindu to the Shivaganga Tank, philanthropist over
beliefs and practices are is the Raja Sabha 50 years ago, it is
zealously observed here, (“Royal Hall”), a beautiful Tamil Nadu’s first
manifested in an endless cycle thousand-pillared hall, residential university,
of rites and rituals. built as a venue for Urdhava Tandava, specializing in South
The focal point of the town temple rituals and Nataraja Temple Indian studies.
is the awe-inspiring Nataraja festivals. Many Chola
Temple, built by the Cholas kings were crowned here in  Nataraja Temple
(see pp50–51) in the 9th century the presence of the deity. In the Near bus stand. Open daily. & 8
to honour their patron deity, central enclosure is the Deva
Shiva as Nataraja, the “Lord of Sabha (“Divine Hall”), where the Environs
Dance” (see p570). The temple has temple bronzes are housed, and Located 16 km (10 miles) east
an unusual hut-like sanctum with administrative functions of Chidambaram, Pichavaram’s
a gold-plated roof, the huge, performed. The adjacent Nritya maze of picturesque backwaters,
colonnaded Shivaganga Tank, Sabha (“Dance Hall”) has a superb with mangrove forests
and four colourful gopuras. The collection of sculptures, the finest and 1,700 islands in 4,000
most interesting is the eastern being the Urdhava Tandava. The canals, can be explored
gopura, which features detailed innermost enclosure, the holiest in rowing boats.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp702–703 and pp717–18

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
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Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm