Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram - A Journey on the foot path of Nandanar as Thirunalai Povar, One of the 63 Nayanmar, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

15^th July 2018.

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On the Foot path of Nandanar... a visit to the places and the temples associated with Nandanar also called as Thirunalai Povar, one of the 63 Nayanmars was organised by Prof Madhusuthanan Kalaiselvan and the songs composed by Sri Gopalakrishna Bharathi  are rendered by Vidwans Bharat Sundar and Sunil Gargyan between 14^th July & 15^th July 2018. The last phase of our Nandanar Trails on 15^th July 2018,  was to visit Chidambaram Natarajar Temple, where Nandanar attained salvation in Thiruchitrambalam.

After three days circumambulation of Thillai, he was very much  disappointed of not having darshan of Lord Nataraja. On the third day night he stayed in a palmgrove farm, on the out skirts of Chidambaram. Gopalakrishna Bharathi express the feelings of Nandanar than Sekkizhar. Written like “irakkam varamal ponathen”… Lord Shiva decided not to make Nandanar to wait any more. In that night Lord Shiva came in his dream and asked him to come to the temple for the dharshan. Dhikshithars will welcome you and they will create a fire, immerse and come out like Yogi, leaving the pulayar caste sentiments. Lord Shiva also told the same in all 3000 Dhikshithar’s dream.

Next morning all the Dhikshithars were waiting with poorna Kumbh to welcome Nandanar at the south side entrance of Natarajar temple. Nandanar came to the south side entrance and hesitate to enter in to the temple. Dhikshithars told him that Lord Shiva had asked to  welcome him in all Dhikshithar’s dream. Nandanar immersed in the fire and came out as Nandha Mamuni with Jadabaram over his head, wearing rudraksha and yagnopaveetha. Nandhanar went inside the temple along with Dhikshithars and had the darshan of Lord Nataraja. Nandanar went near Nataraja and disappeared. As per Sekkizhar.. ..

உலகு உய்ய நடம் ஆடும்

எல்லையினைத் தலைப்பட்டார்

யாவர்களும் கண்டிலரால்.

The prakaram wall bearing the Vikrama Chozha inscriptions was constructed during 12^th century with an entrance opposite to stucco Nandi and Palipedam. The South entrance, was existed till 19^th century. It was told there was a Nandanar statue was there at the south side entrance. The entrance was closed during,   20^th century, beginning and the fate of Nandanar’s statue is not known.

( Thanks to skandagurunatha.org )

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---