The temple of
Chidambaram is the home of the Dancing Shiva, Lord of
Cosmic Dance, Shiva Nataraja. Nataraja dances the dance
of Creation and Destruction. The dance of the atoms,
stars and galaxies.
It can lay claim to
many unique features. The Trimurti or Trinity of
Hinduism, Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and
Shiva the Destroyer are all worshipped within one
complex.
Shiva, who is the
presiding deity of this temple, is worshipped here in
three aspects: as form; as formless form; and as
formless. Besides being one of the largest temples in
India, it is one of the very few temples practicing the
Vedic tradition and rituals, where all other temples
follow the Agamic doctrine of worship. The Vedic
doctrine centers on the performance of the Yagna or fire
sacrifice. This doctrine has been preserved by a
community of hereditary priests is an unbroken, oral
tradition. Called Deekshithars, they have been the
guardians of the temple and its traditions since
prehistoric times.
At the time of the
Chariot Festival the main murti or image of the shrine,
the Nataraja himself, is taken out for the procession,
whereas in other temples special festival murtis are
taken in procession, while the main murti remains in the
temple sanctum.
This temple is open to
all, without discrimination. The temple instructs
visitors not to photograph or film any deities under
worship.
