Sri Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
Lord Nataraja (Akasha Linga)
Chidambaram, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu
Temple of Shiva as the cosmic dancer, the Space (Akasha) element of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams.
History
The golden-roofed Chit Sabha houses Nataraja and the 'Chidambara Rahasyam' — an empty space representing formless Shiva. The Cholas, who regarded Nataraja as their family deity, covered the roof in gold. The gopurams carry carvings of all 108 karanas of Bharatanatyam. Govindaraja Perumal is also worshipped in the same complex. The temple is managed by the hereditary Dikshitar priests.
Festivals
- Aani Thirumanjanam
- Margazhi Thiruvathirai (Arudra Darshan)
- Natyanjali
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Plan your visit
Weather at the temple
Directions to Sri Thillai Nataraja Temple
How to reach
- By air
- Tiruchirappalli Airport, about 165 km; Puducherry, about 65 km
- By train
- Chidambaram station, about 1.5 km
- By road
- TNSTC / SETC buses and taxis from the nearest town.
Near the temple
Rooms, food, bus stands, railway stations, ATMs, hospitals, parkingPlaces come from OpenStreetMap and may be incomplete. Each list has a Google Maps link for more.