Mysteries of the Chidambaram Natarajar Temple (Chidambara Rahasiyam)

                      The Secret of  Chidambaram Temple

     Chidambara Rahasiyam  is a Hindu belief  that there is a secret message conveyed through embossed figure near  the shrine of Shiva in the Chidambaram Temple.Since Ancient Times, it is believed that there is a place where Shiva and his consort parvati has present, but inivisible to most people. In the temple, Chidambara Rahasiyam is hidden behind a curtain ( symbolic of Maya) worship or darshan is possible only when  priests open the curtain for special pojas. behind the curtain are golden leaves , as from the Aegle Marmelos tree, signifying the presence of Shiva and Parvati. It is believed that saints can see the gods in their physical forms. Chidambaram Natarajar Temple is one of the panchabootas (the 5 elements of the nature) and represents the SKY elements.  

Chidambaram = Chitt ( soul, mind, consciousness ) + Ambaram (Sky)

     Chidambaram temple is the place where Shiva gives Darshan in His Nataraj form(Cosmic dance). His cosmic dance dissolves everyone and everything into Him, and thus paves a way for a new beginning .Chidambaram means Knowing our true self, which is above our physical body.  When the main priest removes the curtain (maya), besides the main diety, only hanging garland of Bilva leaves is visible to our eyes and nothing else. Actually , the underlying truth is, when the curtain of maya is removed, then you see your true self ! That is nothing but , coming out of this illusionary world, materialistic things , ego , then you can see your true self.

             THE SCIENTIFIC FACT ABOUT CHIDAMBARAM  NATARAJAR TEMPLE

     This temple is located at the Center Point of world 's Magnetic Equator.Of the "Pancha bootha" i.e. 5 temples, Chidambaram denotes the Skies. Kalahasthi denotes Wind. Kanchi Ekambareswar denotes land. All these 3 temples are located in a straight line at 79 degrees 41 minutes Longitude. This can be verified using Google. An amazing fact & astronomical miracle !.Thirumoolar states that man represents the shape of Shivalingam, which represents Chidambaram which represents Sadashivam which represents HIS dance!. "Ponnambalam " is placed slightly tilted towards the left. This represents our Heart. To reach this, we need to climb 5 steps called "Panchatshara padi ".

Top 10 Facts of CHIDAMBARA NATARAJAR TEMPLE

   1)The temple has five prakaras resembling the sheaths 

   2)Natarajar gives dharshan from the sanctum called chit sabha with a golden roof.The roof has 22600 tiles,denoting the number of times a person can breathe in a day.

   3)These tiles are fixed to the wooden roof with the help of 72000 nails depicting the number of nadis.

   4)On the top of the roof we can find 9 kalasas depicting the 9 gateways in the human body. 

   5)The chit sabha roof is supported by 4 pillars symbolising the 4 vedas.

   6)As the heart is to the left of the body,the sanctum is slightly alligned to the left side.

   7)The roof has 64 cross wooden reapers denoting the 64 kinds of art.

   8)The artha mandapa has 6 pillars denoting the six  shastras.

   9)The mandapa next to the artha mandapa has 18 pillars symbolising the 18 puranas.

   10) Natarajar gives dharshan from the sanctum called chit sabha with a golden roof.

                                                                                                                     Blogger,

                                                                                                                S.Gouthami
                                                                                                                Travel Tinkers