NATARAJA TEMPLE
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Temple dedicated to Shiva as lord of the dance, with wall sculptures showing the 108 karanas of the Natya Shastra..
This magnificent temple is dedicated to Nataraja - Shiva as the lord of dance. The present temple was built in the 10th century when Chidambaram was the capital of the Chola dynasty. After its consecration, the temple has been damaged, repaired, renovated and expanded over the centuries. The temple's wall carvings show the 108 karanas of Bharata Muni's Natya Shastra, and these postures form the basis of Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance. The temple contains one of the five essential Shivalingas of the Shiva tradition and is considered the most subtle of the temples dedicated to Shiva. It is also a site dedicated to the performing arts, including the annual Natyanjali dance festival during Maha Shivaratri.
According to legend, Shiva visited sages in the mythical pine forest of Thillai in the form of a beggar, accompanied by Mohini (Vishnu in the form of a seductive woman). Mohini arouses the lustful interest of the sages, while Shiva performs the Tandava dance that triggers the carnal interest of their wives. The sages then realize how superficial their austerities have been. The episode becomes widely known and later two mystics, Patanjali and Vyaghrapada, want to see the repetition of this "dance of happiness" in the forest of Thillai. They set up a Shivalinga, pray, meditate and wait. Their asceticism impressed Shiva so much that he appeared before them and performed his dance. This is how the famous figure of "Dancing Shiva" and the Nataraja temple were born.Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
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