VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Sri Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

Thursday, 7 September 2017

Sri Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

03^rd September 2017.

Even though I had been to this Natarajar Temple at Chidambaram earlier, this visit along with Facebook friends of “Chozhar Varalaru Thedal Kuzhu” is a different one. This visit was mainly focused on the History and Heritage values of this temple. About 30 heritage enthusiasts participated in this visit led by Mr Venkatesh, the Historian and writer. We started from the east Rajagopuram and finished at the main sanctum. We went around the corridors, Mandapams, Sannadhis, and statues, in a clockwise direction covering the various sannadhis. Finally, the Darshan of Sri Natarajar stands on chit sabha and maragatha Natarajar’s abhishekam. Really we are blessed. Some of the details of this temple are….

RAJAGOPURAS.

There are 4 Rajagopurams of 7 tiers, 135 feet tall. The entrance is 40 feet high and 16 feet wide with single stone lintels. The Rajagopuram is constructed with stone up to lintel and the gopuram is of stucco. The passage walls have the reliefs of 108 Bharatanatyam postures. Stucco images of gods are on the Gopuram. The east Rajagopuram was constructed by Kulothunga –II or Kadavarkon Koperunchinkan. The south Rajagopuram facing Nataraja is called Sokka Seeya Gopuram, the title of Koperunchinken. The west Rajagopuram was built by Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan and the entrance to the sanctum complex opposite it is also called Akalangan Vayil. The 16th-century North Rajagopuram was built by Krishnadevaraya. Krishnadevaraya and his Sthapathis images are on the North side Rajagopuram passage.

east Rajagopuram

South Rajagopuram-Sokka Seeya Gopuram

Tripuranthakar

Vishnu

Brahma

Krishnadevaraya on the north Rajagopuram

Sthapathis in North Rajagopuram

SABHA MANDAPAMS.

Vikrama Chozha's chieftain Naraloka Veeran had constructed the 100 pillared Mandapam and Ambal temple mandapam. It was also said that most of the present structures were constructed by Naraloka Veeran. In the 100-pillared mandapam, 12 pillars form a mandapam called Chohan Thirumandapam. It was believed that some of the mandapams around the sanctum were built by Hiranyavarman of Koudilya Kingdom.

The 1000 pillared (984 pillars) mandapam was constructed by Koluthunga –II and III. In the Raja Shabai Aani Thirumanjanam and Aruthra functions are held here. Manickavasagar defeated Buddhists in an argument. Periya Puranam was inaugurated in this mandapam.

Nirutha Sabha (Ethirambalam). As per the legend, a Dance competition was held between Thillai Kali and Lord Shiva in which Thillai Kali could not perform dance like Lord Shiva in this mandapam. The mandapam was built like a chariot pulled by galloping horses with 56 intricately carved pillars.

Deva Sabha is facing south with 100 bronzes. Kulothunga-II covered this roof with gold.

Kanaka Sabha and Chit Sabha otherwise called Ponnambalam. As per the legend the Viswakarma built on the request of Indiran for Shiva’s Ananda thandavam. Up to the plinth was constructed by Chozhas and the roof was done by Aditya-I (believed). This was constructed with 64 wooden beams (representing 64 arts ), 2600 lotus petals (this represents the breathing count of a human), 72,000 nails (the human body’s nerves, veins, and heartbeats), and 9 kalas.

SANNADHIS ( SHRINES ).

Mukkuruni Vinayagar is sculptured out of a monolithic/single stone belonging to the 17^th century. Heramba Ganapati is on the second pillar from the entrance.

Mukkuruni Vinayagar

Heramba Ganapathi

Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple was built by Pandyas after defeating Chozhas, in remembrance of Madurai.

PandiNayakam temple was built by the Pandyas with 56 intricately carved pillars.

Pandiannayagam temple

Next to the north side of Rajagopuram is the Nine Shiva Linga Temple. As per the inscriptions, this temple is called Thiruthonda Thokaieechuram.

The Urdhva Thandava Murthy is on the western side of the Nirutha Sabha mandapam. Shiva is in dance postures lifting his leg up and pointing at the sky.

Thiruthonda thokaieechuram.

Thiruthonda Thogaieechuram.

Moolattanavar sannadhi is in the second prakaram. It was believed that this shrine with Shiva linga existed before the installation of Nataraja. This Moolanathar was worshiped by Patanjali, Vyagrapadar, Upamanyu, and the King of Kautilya kingdom, Vanga country. It was believed that the temple belonged to the early Choha period.

Govindaraja Perumal temple also known as Thiru Chitrakoodam. This Perumal was installed by the Pallava King Nandivarman from 726 to 775 AD. Thirumangai alwar and Kulasekara alwar has sung hymns ( mangala sasanam ) on this perumal.

Govindaraja Perumal temple

Pundarika Valli Thayar Sannidhi

In the Natarajar sanctum, Sivakama Sundari, Chandramouleeswarar, a spatika Lingam, Rathna Sabhapathy, Swarna Akasa Bairavar, Chandrasekara.

IMPORTANT EVENTS HELD SINCE INCEPTION.

During the Rajarajan period, (It is believed) Thirumurai was brought to light from the closed room of the praharam by Nambiyandar Nambi (The praharam Vinayagar showed the way).

The room where the Thirumurai was found

Both Chozhas and Pandyas crowned in this temple. Also, Thulapara worship was started by the Pandya King Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan also the golden covering was done by him.

Krishnadevaraya had donated 82 villages to this temple for conducting regular poojas and functions.

Natarajar was taken to Malai Nadu and Thiruvarur during Malik Kafur’s invasions of 1311 and 1325 CE. Believed that Natarajar returned to his original position during the 14th-century, Vijayanagara Period.

During 1753 CE, the temple was occupied by the French a garrison was set up and the walls were fortified.

In 1759 CE the temple was attacked by the British, and occupied by the French. 1780 CE Hyderali occupied the temple and the British occupied it after defeating Hyder Ali in 1781 CE. During this period Natarajar was taken to Thiruvarur.

Pachaiyappa Mudaliar had contributed towards the renovation of the Temple Chariot, base. After his demise, his wife and his sister completed the task.

Manali Chinnaiah Mudali also contributed towards Nandavanam, covering Chit Sabha with silver, etc.

Nattukottai Nagarathar is also doing its share towards the maintenance of the temple, sannadhis, Rajagopuras, and rectification of Sivaganga tank steps. Laying of pathways using stone slabs, rectification of Kanaka Sabhas roof, etc,.

DHIKSHITHARS AND THEIR ROLE.

As per the legend, 3000 Dhikshithars started from Kashi and on reaching Chidambaram, when they counted one person was short. Lord Shiva told them that he was also one among them. The 3000 persons had shrunk to 200 to 300 now. Chohas had given total control of the temple to the Dhikshithars and it has become a private temple. The Nayanmars ThiruGanasambandar and Sundaramurthy praised the Dhikshithars in thevara hymns. They had the privilege of crowing the Choha kings and Latter to Pandiyas. The temple activities are being managed by a 9-member committee. The Key of the temple including the Lord's jewelry is kept in the custody of Dhikshithars every 20 days on rotation. It was said that the pooja can be performed only by a married person and child marriages are quite common among these Dhikshithars.

SOME OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS...