Chidambaram- Natarajar temple- overview








Chidambaram Nataraja Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the heart of Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Chidambaram Temple is one of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu. Also known as Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram is one of the Pancha Bhootha Sthalams of Lord Shiva, represents akasha (ether). The other four temples are Thiruvanaikovil Jambukeswara (water), Kanchi Ekambareswara (earth), Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara (fire), and Kalahasteeswara Temple (wind).
The word Chidambaram is derived from two words ‘Chit’ meaning ‘consciousness’ and ‘ambaram’ meaning ‘sky’ (akasha) and signifies the sky of consciousness, which is the ultimate state one should attempt to attain. Another theory is that it is derived from chit + ambalam. Ambalam means a “stage” for performing arts. The chidakasam is the state of supreme bliss or aananda and Lord Nataraja is the symbolic representation of the supreme bliss or aananda thandavam.

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