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.

This post was updated with Thevara Hymns, Architecture, History, Inscriptions, Legends etc,. For the details of the updated post please click this Link

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---

Sri Natarajar Temple / ஸ்ரீ நடராஜர் கோவில், Linghi Chetty Street, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

 18^th September 2016

One of my temples Uzhavaram friend gave me a call on 17^th Sep 2016, for uazhavaram at Sri Natarajar temple and Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple, at Linghi Chetty Street, Chennai. The same was scheduled on 18^th Sep 2016. Since there was no scheduled program on that day and readily accepted to participate. Both temples are on the same street and had a connection with British  East India Company.  These two temples are about 100 meters distance from Sri Mallikeswarar temple, which is preparing for the kumbhabhishekam.

The temple was too shabby and seems nobody cleaned for the past many years. Debris are scattered and the old gurukkal could not do any maintenance with out assistance.

Moolavar    : Sri Natarajar

Consort      : Sri Sivakami

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple facing west with a small dwajasthambam, palipedam and Nandhi  are in the front mandapam. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum.

In the parakaram sannadhi for Natarajar, Thillai Vinayagar, Chandikeswarar, Naalvar with  Sekkizhar, Pandurangan, Anantha Sayana Perumal, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar.

Vahana mandapam and  Navagrahas are in the back side of the sanctum in a madras terrace building.

As per Sivachariyar Sabarathina Sivan the temple was built by Subbaraya bakthar ( relief is on the mandapam pillar and a photo is available at the temple, he worked as a treasurer in East India Company ) who had no male issues with his first wife. So he constructed this temple with Shiva lingam and Amman and worshiped Lord Shiva. After few years he married a Vaishnava lady and added Pandurangan and Anantha Sayana perumal sannadhi. Even then there was no male child born. Finally he made a will to donate all his property to this temple and died.

This temple is under the control of HR & CE of Tamilnadu.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple is kept open between 08.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 18.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Sabarathina Gurukkal ( the fourth generation Gurukkal  who is doing pooja in this temple )  may be contacted on his mobile 9840256435.

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is about a KM from Beach Railway station.

About 100 meters from Sri Mallikeswarar Temple on the same Linghi Chetty street.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :

Mr Subbaraya Bakthar who constructed this temple  

UZHAVARAM PHOTOS 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Pancha Bootha Sthalangal

SL NO	GOD AND GODESS	SPECIAL	PLACE
1	Sri Elavarkhuzhali Samedha Sri Ekambareswarar	Earth ( Boomi )	Kanchipuram
2	Sri Akilandeswari Samedha Sri Jambukeswarar	Water ( Jalam)	Thiruvanaikkaval
3	Sri Unnamulai Ammai Samedha Sri Arunachaleswarar	Fire ( Agni)	Thiruvannamalai
4	Sri Ganaprasunambika Samedha Sri Kalahastheeswarar	Air ( Vayu )	Kalahasti
5	Sri Sivakami Samedha Sri Natarajar	Sky ( Akasa )	Chidambaram

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple and Sri Kalahasteeswara Temple, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

 10th January 2016.

While sorting out the Pancha Bootha sthalangal  ( for the index of my web blog ) of Thondai Nadu ie in and around Chennai found that the two Temples, Sri Arunachaleswarar and  Sri Kalahastheeswarar are missing. Sri Kalahastheeswarar temple is missing from the Google map but managed find out that the temple is at Pavalakara Street. Forgotten the scheduled agendas  on 10^th January 2016, Sunday morning, visited both the temples ( Missed the Mylapore festival  by Mr Venkatesh  - A pond, A tank  Via canal,  Mylapore’s lesser known tales). All the Pancha Bootha sthalangal are on the north part of Chennai.

Both the temples are under balalayam and renovation is on full swing.  Kumbhabhishekam is scheduled  on 20^th January 2016 for Sri Arunachaleswarar.

SRI KALAHASTHEESWARAR TEMPLE
Since the temple is under renovation I could not take good photos. The place was in a mesh due to construction activities. This temple is squeezed between concrete buildings.

Moolavar : Sri Kalahastheeswarar
Consort   : Sri Prasunannambigai.

Some of the important details are as follows....
The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Nandhi in a mandapam are in front of the sannadhi. Stucco dwarapalakas are in front of sannidhi and Navagrahas are on the left side of inner mandapam. Sannadhi for Vinayagar and Subramaniyar behind sanctum.

In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu ( in place of Lingothbavar), Brahma and Durgai. Sub sannadhis and mandapam are under construction.

Happened to see an inscription dated 21-1-1926 by Naga Siva Chidambaram Chettiar's son of Subraya Chettiar about the donation given for conducting the  functions from the income of a house and go down after deducting the tax to be paid to Govt.  and maintenance charges.

HOW TO REACH :
The temple is on  155/ 50 – Pavalakara Street ( Coral merchant Street), Chennai -1  Mannady area.  North end of the street.

On town bus routes  Ibrahim Sahib Road Get down at Thambu Chetty  Street and Pavalakara street is very near. ( 6D, 8B, 11 a, 38 A,G ,H,S, 44, 56B, 57D etc,. ).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE  

SRI ARUNACHALESWARAR TEMPLE

This temple is on the Palliappan street in mint area. This temple is also under renovation and Kumbhabhishekam is scheduled on 20^th  January 2016.

Moolavar    : Sri Arunachaleswarar

Consort      : Sri Abithakusambigai

Some of Important details of this temple are .

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Anubhoothi mandapam is after entering the rajagopuram and the main sanctum os on the left. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi mandapam are at the entrance. In Koshtam  Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu ( in place of Lingothbavar ), Brahma and Durgai.

In the outer prakaram, Sannadhi for Vishnu, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar. A mandapam is at front and reliefs on the stone pillars are worth to see.

In the inner prakaram sannadhi for Navagrahas, Chandran, Suryan, Naalvar, Shiva and Ambal, Saba mandapam, Palliyarai, Chandikeswarar,  Vinayagar and Subramaniyar.  Ambal is in a separate sannadhi.

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is on 24- Palliappan Street, Chennai 79 Park Town area,  near Mint street.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA : ---