Temples: Chidambaram Nataraja Temple – Pancha Bhoota Sthalas – 05/05
🌌 Akasha Lingam (Space Element of Shiva)
🕉️ Introduction
The Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, located in Tamil Nadu, is the crown jewel of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas, representing the most subtle and mystical of the five elements: Ākāśa (Space/Ether).
Unlike other temples that enshrine a tangible Shiva Lingam, Chidambaram reveals Shiva as pure consciousness – the formless Ether – embodied in the Chidambara Rahasyam (Secret of Chidambaram).
Here, Lord Shiva is worshipped in his cosmic dance form as Nataraja, and the sanctum houses both the idol and the formless – making it a rare dual representation of Saguna and Nirguna Shiva.
🌌 Element: Ākāśa (Space/Ether)
Space is infinite, formless, all-pervading, and forms the container for all creation. At Chidambaram:
- Shiva is not seen.
- Shiva is felt in the empty space – a curtain-covered void next to the idol.
- It’s the divine silence between all sounds — the field of pure awareness.
🛕 Temple Highlights
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| 📍 Location | Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu |
| 🕉️ Deity | Nataraja (Shiva as Cosmic Dancer) |
| 🌸 Consort | Shivakamasundari |
| 🌌 Bhoota Element | Ākāśa (Space/Ether) |
| 🔮 Unique Feature | Chidambara Rahasyam – empty space behind golden curtain |
| 🛕 Built By | Chola Kings (9th century onward), expansions by Pallavas & Pandyas |
| 🎭 Symbolism | Tandava – Shiva’s cosmic dance of creation & destruction |
| 📏 Area | ~40 acres with 4 majestic gopurams |
📖 Chidambara Rahasyam – The Secret of the Ether
The core sanctum of this temple does not house a typical Shiva Lingam.
Instead, it houses:
- A bronze idol of Nataraja performing the Ananda Tandava (dance of bliss)
- An empty space, behind a golden curtain, flanked by a string of golden bilva leaves.
This space represents formless Shiva — pure consciousness. When the curtain is drawn aside during arati, one is granted darshan of the infinite, the Akhanda Akasha.
“Chidambaram” = Chit (Consciousness) + Ambaram (Space)
It is the space of consciousness.
🔥 The Cosmic Dance of Nataraja
The image of Nataraja here is not symbolic — it’s alive with meaning:
- 🔥 Right upper hand: Holds the damaru (sound of creation)
- ❌ Left upper hand: Holds Agni (fire of destruction)
- 🖐️ Right lower hand: Abhaya mudra – protection
- 🕊️ Left lower hand: Points to raised left foot – moksha
- 👣 Right foot: Stamps the demon of ignorance (Apasmara)
This dance represents the cycle of creation, preservation, destruction, concealment, and grace — the five cosmic acts of Shiva (Pancha Krityas).
🛕 Architectural Marvels
- Four Gopurams represent the four Vedas.
- Kanaka Sabha (Golden Hall): Roof plated with gold tiles, donated by Chola kings.
- Chit Sabha (Hall of Consciousness): Central sanctum with Nataraja and Chidambara Rahasyam.
- Deva Sabha: Where devas are believed to worship.
- Raja Sabha: 1000-pillared hall for grand festivals.
Every inch of the temple is symbolically infused with cosmic energy, Tantric geometry, and Agamic perfection.
🕯️ Major Festivals
| Festival | Description |
|---|---|
| 🌑 Margazhi Tiruvadirai (Dec-Jan) | Grand Abhishekam of Nataraja – most important festival |
| 🌕 Ani Thirumanjanam (Jun–Jul) | Utsava for cosmic dance, golden idol carried in procession |
| 🔥 Maha Shivaratri | Four kala pujas to Nataraja with dance & chants |
| 🎭 Natyanjali Festival | Classical dancers from around the world perform before Nataraja |
🧘 Spiritual Significance
- Bestows Jnana (wisdom) through inner silence
- Helps in overcoming ego through surrender
- Awakens meditative states
- Connects devotees with nirguna Shiva – pure, formless awareness
- Encourages balance between movement and stillness
यदा नृत्यति नटराजः तदा उत्पत्तिः लयः च।
yadā nṛtyati naṭarājaḥ tadā utpattiḥ layaḥ ca
“When Nataraja dances, creation and dissolution happen simultaneously.”
🗺️ How to Visit
- Nearest City: Chidambaram
- By Train: Well connected to Chennai, Tiruchy, Rameswaram
- By Air: Pondicherry (65 km) or Chennai (230 km)
- Stay: Numerous dharmashalas and lodges near temple
🌌 Final Reflection
The Chidambaram Temple doesn’t just house Shiva — it dissolves the devotee into Shiva. It is the only temple in the world where the divine is enshrined as pure space, reminding us:
“All form is emptiness. All emptiness is divine.”
🔚 Closing Mantra
ॐ नमः शिवाय आकाश लिंगाय नमः।
Om Namah Shivaya Akasha Lingaya Namah
Salutations to Shiva as the Space Element.
📘 Complete Pancha Bhoota Series Summary
| Temple | Element | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Ekambareswarar | Earth (Prithvi) | Kanchipuram, TN |
| Jambukeswarar | Water (Apas) | Thiruvanaikaval, TN |
| Arunachaleswarar | Fire (Agni) | Tiruvannamalai, TN |
| Srikalahasti | Air (Vayu) | Andhra Pradesh |
| Chidambaram Nataraja | Space (Akasha) | Chidambaram, TN |