Natarajar Temple, Chidambaram
| Location of the temple | Chidambaram |
| Lord Shiva known as | Natarajar |
| Female deity known as | Sivagami, Umaiyammai |
| Pathigam | Thirunavukarasar – 8 Sambandar – 2 Sundarar – 1 |
| How to reach | Chidambram can be reached by road from Chennai and from many other towns in Tamilnadu. It is 230 Kms from Chennai by road. |
| Temple address | Arulmighu Natarajar Temple Devasthanam Chidambaram Chidambaram Taluk Cuddalore District PIN 608001 |
This Shivasthalam is one of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu and is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalangal of Lord Shiva signifying the element of space and revered as the foremost of all Shiva Temples among the Saivites. The very name ‘Kovil’ refers to Chidambaram. It is said that a visit and worship in Chidambaram gives mukthi to a devotee. One of the 108 Divya Desam Shrines of Lord Vishnu (Govindaraja Perumal) is located inside the Natarajar Temple at Chidambaram. This temple is located in the centre of the Chidambaram town and covers an area of 40 acres. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is covered with gold plates. The presiding deity of the temple is represented by space, one of the five elements of the universe and is known as Akasa Lingam. It is also one of the Pancha Sabha Temples of Lord Shiva. The temple has tall Gopurams (Towers) on all the four sides. Stucco images of 108 Bharatha Natyam Dance poses are depicted on the eastern and Western tower. The 1000 pillar mandapam (Raja Sabha) in the north-east of the outer carridor of this temple is an important piece of architecture where the erstwhile rulers of Pandiya and Chola kindgoms celebrated their victories in the battle.
The temple has five principal sabhas known as Kanaka Sabha, Chit sabha, Nritya sabha, Deva sabha and Raja sabha. The Chit Sabha (Chitrambalam) houses the Akasa Lingam, Kanaka Sabha houses the Nataraja image. Roofs of these two sabhas are covered with gold plates. The Chit Sabha houses the Akasa Lingam, Kanaka Sabha houses the Natarajar image. The female deity Sivagami’s shrine is to the left of the main Natarajar shrine. There are also separate shrines for Lord Vinayaka and Lord subramanya inside this temple.
This sivasthalam is said to have given ‘moksha’ (liberation) to infinite devotees – notable amongst them are Nandanar, Tirunilakandanayanar, Vyagrapada Munivar and Patanjali Munivar.