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Chidambaram Nataraja Temple
சிதம்பரம் நடராஜர் கோயில்
Chidambaram, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu
Chola, Pandya, and Vijayanagara dynastiesDravidaHindu (Shaiva)state-protectedAI Compiled
Chidambaram Nataraja Temple - The Cultural Heritage of India — cultureandheritage.orgAll copyright belongs to the original artist.
About
The Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram is a Hindu temple dedicated to Nataraja, the form of Shiva as the Lord of Dance. It is one of the five Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, representing the element of space (Akasha).
The temple is unique in that the presiding deity is represented by an anthropomorphic idol rather than the classic aniconic lingam. The golden-roofed sanctum (Chit Sabha) is where Nataraja is believed to have performed the cosmic dance, the Ananda Tandava.
The massive gopurams are carved with the 108 karanas (dance postures) from the Natya Shastra, forming a foundation for the Indian classical dance, Bharatanatyam.