Chidambaram-Panchabootha Sthalam (Contd)

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About the temple

Chidambaram is in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. The temple of Chidambaram boasts of five Sabhais or halls. Chit Sabhai or the Ponnambalam is the sanctum sanctorum that houses the deities Lord Nataraja and Sivagamasundari. The Lord presents Himself in three forms in the sanctum. Lord Nataraja in His full form called Sakala Thirumeni, Lord Chandramouleeshwara in a form of a Linga, Sakala Nishkala Thirumeni and the formless Lord or the space in Chidambara Rahasyam, Nishkala Thirumeni.

Kanaka Sabhai is where the daily rituals are carried out. The Nrithya Sabhai or Natya Sabhai is where the dance duel of Shiva and Kali had taken place. The Raja Sabhai or the 1000 pillared hall symbolizes the Yogic chakra of thousand pillared lotus or Sahasraram and the Deva Sabhai accommodates the temples of the other deities.

The temple of Chidambaram also houses a shrine called Thillai Thiruchitrakoodam for Lord Govindaraja Perumal (Lord Vishnu) and is considered one of the 108 Divyadesams.

The Shivaganga tank forms the holy water of the temple apart from the numerous other water bodies.

Spiritual Significance Of Chidambara Rahasyam

Of the word Chidhambaram, the term 'Chit' would mean consciousness and 'Ambaram' would mean 'Sky' derived from 'Aakaasam' or 'Aaakayam'. The terms put together would be the 'Sky of Consciousness'.

A curtain is found within the sanctum sanctorum, the drawing of which reveals an empty space with streams of golden bilva leaves hung to indicate the presence of the Lord. The exterior part of the curtain which is black indicates the ignorance of man while the interior part of it in red, symbolises wisdom and bliss. The empty space within exposes the worship of the Lord in His formless state. The curtain is drawn during the daily rituals for the worship of the formless Lord, the realization of which is liberation or Mukti. This is truly a ritual that penetrates the prevailing notions about the divine to the bareness of nothingness, which is divinity in actuality.

Chidambara Rahasyam is hence, the journey from ignorance to wisdom and ultimately to liberation through surrender that bestows bliss.

Festivals

Two annual Bhrammotsavams are celebrated in Chidambaram, the important being Dec 15 - Jan 15. The Arudra Darisanam, Shivaratri and other festivals pertaining to Lord Shiva are celebrated here. Natyanjali Dance Festival is held annually during the months of February and March.

Directions

Chidambaram is between Villuppuram and Thanjavur on the Chennai Tiruchirappalli Main line. By road it is only 235 kilometers South of Chennai. Thanjavur is about 100 kilometers away from Chidambaram. The nearest airport is Trichy at a distance of about 160 Km.

Lets thus submit ourselves to the Lord to realise Him in His formless state to experience His blissful motion within ourselves.