- Chidhambaram (Thillai) - (Agasa Lingam - Sky)
Chimbaram is called "Koil" by hindu Saiva Divotees. Chidhambaram is the First Temple for lord shivan's divotees. Chidhambaram is also called Thillai,(Thillai means one type of tree),Boologa Kayilayam, Sithakasa Sthalam, Pundareegapuram, Perumpatra Puliyoor, Gnanagasam, Thichitrambalam... Chidhambaram temple is "Sathakkiya Temple" of the five Sathakkiya Moorthy's Temple.(sathakkiyam means mind and soul fused with Lord Shivan)This beatiful temple dedicated to lord Natarajar, the sivan in the form of a cosmic dancer. The temple is located in the center of the chidhambaram city temple covers an 40 acres.The eastern tower 40.8 meters height. The 108 Bharatha Natya dance gestures can be seen on the eastern tower as well as on the western tower. The norther tower(Gopuram) height is 42.4 meters. This temple is one of the five elements of the universe and is known as sky(Akasalingam). It is very ancient and tresure of many arts. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is covered with golden plates by king Paranthaga chola in 9th century. Here natarajar is a moolavar and urchavar.The goddess Sivakamiyamman Sannidhi has very beatiful scupture works. Chidhambara Rahasyam is very famous here. The lord Natarajar dancing here for Yogi Pathanjali and Vyagrapathar, the dance is called Anandha Thandavam(happy dance) Chidhambaram temple has five stages for Dancing Shiva 1.Chitrambalam (hall of wisdom) 2.Ponnambalam (golden hall) 3.Perambalam(hall of panja moorthy) 4.Niruthasabai(here sivan dance with goddess Kali, the dance is called "Oorthuva Thandavam") 5.Rasasabai(1000 pillar hall). Chidhambaram is the one the puliyoor (5 puliyoor worshipped by Vygrapathar, (vyagram means tiger,pathar means leg, he had tiger leg) Chidhambaram temple is "Manipooraga temple" of the six Aathara temples. Chidhambaram temple is "Heart temple" of the eight Anga(body) temples of Lord Shivan. This temple is sung by Dhevara Moovar, and Manickavasagar
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