CHIDAMBARAM TEMPLE SECRET‐ CENTER OF MAGNETIC FIELD OF EARTH

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE – CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM: LORD SHIVA’S ESSENCE IN THIS IMAGE IS DESCRIBED AS “ARDHANARISHWARA”, HALF‐MALE AND HALF‐FEMALE, A PERFECT UNION OF MATTER, ENERGY, AND THE ENERGY CONTROLLER
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE: CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM – THE GREAT MYSTERY OF CHIDAMBARAM. LORD NATARAJA DESTROYS MAN’S IGNORANCE TO RELEASE MAN FROM THE INFLUENCE OF COSMIC ILLUSION.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE: IN BOTH CHRISTIAN AND INDIAN TRADITIONS, EARTH IS THOUGHT TO BE THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE. IN INDIA, CHIDAMBARAM IS THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE. THE PLACE IS VIEWED AS THE CENTRE OF GEOMAGNETIC EQUATOR OF PLANET EARTH. THE GREEN HORIZONTAL LINE REPRESENTS THE GEOMAGNETIC EQUATOR.

After 8 years of R & D, Western scientists have proved that at Lord Nataraja 's big toe is the Centre Point of World 's Magnetic Equator.
Our ancient Tamil Scholar Thirumoolar has proved this Five thousand
 years ago! His treatise THIRUMANDIRAM is a wonderful Scientific guide for the whole world.

To understand his studies, it may need a 100 years for us.
Chidambaram, in Southern India’s state of Tamil Nadu, is also known as Thillai, since the place was originally a forest of the thillai shrubs. It is an important pilgrim center, a major shrine of Lord Shiva and as the famous Nataraja Temple. In fact, Chidambaram offers a combination of the three aspects of Shiva worship – the form Lord Nataraja (dance), the form and the formlessness (linga) and the formless omnipresence.The temple has influenced worship, architecture, sculpture and performance art for over two millennium. Now, that is an old temple.
 The ancient temple is located in the center of the town and covers 40 acres with four seven­story gopurams ( those huge gateways facing North, South East and West) each with around fifty stone sculptures. There are also five sabhas or courts. The presiding deity of the temple is formless, represented by air, one of the five elements of the universe.  The temple is dedicated to Lord Nataraja, and is unique as it one of the rare temples where Shiva is represented by an idol rather than the customary lingam. (I’d been introduced to lingams earlier, they are black phallic looking statues.) This temple also has exquisite carvings of Bharathanatya dance postures, the Classical Dance of Tamil Nadu. At Chidambaram, the dancer dominates, not the linga.
Temple dancer The eastern tower of the temple rises to a height of 134 feet with 108 Bharathanatyam dance poses as well as on Western tower. The Northern tower rises to a height of 140 feet and is the tallest. This temple is also noted for its Gold Plated roof that adorns the sanctum sanctorum, or called the kanakasabha. Non­Hindus are not allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum.  The temple as it stands is mainly from the 12th and 13th centuries, with later additions in similar style. It was believed to have been originally constructed during the early Chola period (900’s AD).


Chidambaram temple embodies the following characteristics :

1) This temple is located at the Center Point of world 's Magnetic Equator.
2) 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 !
3) Chidambaram temple is based on the Human Body having 9 Entrances denoting 9 Entrances or Openings of the body.
4) Temple roof is made of 21600 gold sheets which denotes the 21600 breaths taken by a human being every day (15 x 60 x 24 = 21600)
5) These 21600 gold sheets are fixed on the Gopuram using 72000 gold nails which denote the total no. of Nadis (Nerves) in the human body. These transfer energy to certain body parts that are invisible.
6) Thirumoolar states that man represents the shape of Shivalingam, which represents Chidambaram which represents Sadashivam which represents HIS dance !
7) "Ponnambalam " is placed slightly tilted towards the left. This represents our Heart. To reach this, we need to climb 5 steps called "Panchatshara padi " "Si, Va, Ya, Na, Ma " are the 5 Panchatshara mantras.
There are 4 pillars holding the Kanagasabha representing the 4 Vedas.
8) Ponnambalam has 28 pillars denoting the 28 "Ahamas "as well as the 28 methods to worship Lord Shiva. These 28 pillars support 64 +64 Roof Beams which denote the 64 Arts. The cross beams represent the Blood Vessels running across the Human body.
9) 9 Kalasas on the Golden Roof represent the 9 types of Sakthi or Energies.
The 6 pillars at the Artha Mantapa represent the 6 types of Sashtras.
The 18 pillars in the adjacant Mantapa represents 18 Puranams.
10) The dance of Lord Nataraja is described as Cosmic Dance by Western Scientists.
Whatever Science is propounding now has been stated by Hinduism thousands of years ago  
Greatness Of Temple:


 Lord Shiva is in three forms in Chidambaram, as visible idol form, formless as Akasha or space and form and formless as a Spatika Linga. What is Chidambara Rahasyam – secret:  There is small entrance near Lord Sabanayaka in the Chit Saba.  The screen is removed and an arati is offered.  There is nothing in a form inside.  But there hangs a golden Vilwa garland without a Murthi.  The secret is that Lord is here as Akasha which has no beginning or an end.  This can be understood only by experience.  Of the Panchabhoodha Sthals, Chidambaram belongs to Akasha.  Chit + Ambaram= Chidambaram.  Chit means wisdom.  Ambaram means broad open space not measurable.  “We have nothing with us” is the lesson from this philosophy.  The reputation of Chidambaram is still greater, because it is here that the hymns of three great Saivite Saints were discovered.  They sang thousands of hymns in many Shiva Sthals they visited.  Where were they for the use of the devotees?  Tirunarayur Nambiandar Nambi and king Tirumurai Kanda Chozhan fell at the feet of Lord Polla Pillayar – Vinayaka to guide them in the matter.  With the blessings of Lord Vinayaka, they came to know that all these great spiritual literatures with the signatures of the respective authors are hidden in this temple.  They rushed to Chidambaram and worshipped the authors with respectful festivals.  They found the palm leaves covered by anthill and mostly consumed by insects.  Yet they picked up the available full leaves and saved them.  All these invaluable spiritual literatures would have been totally lost but for the painstaking and devout labour of Nambiandar Nambigal and Tirumurai Kanda Chozhan.  

Chidambaram Lord Nataraja probably is the first social reformer.  Nandanar, a dalit farm worker was a staunch Shiva devotee.  He desired to have the darshan of Lord but could not secure a holiday from his upper caste boss who said that as a low born he was not entitled for the privilege.  Nandanar did not lose hope.  Naalai Pohalam – Let me go tomorrow – was his hope.  After many tomorrows, he finally reached Chidambaram but could not enter the temple due to his community problem.  He tried to have the glimpse of Lord, but Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva blocked the view.  Lord asked Nandhi to move and enabled Nandanar to have his darshan.  Nandanar attained salvation here and merged with Lord to the shock and surprise of the upper class. It is said that the four Saivite Saints entered the temple through the four entrances of the temple, Manickavasagar through the east, Gnanasambandar from south, Appar from west and Sundarar from the north.  Appar­Tirunavukkarasar did his Angapradakshina in the car strees (Ratha Veedhi) of Chidambaram.  Saint Manickavasagar cured the dumb daughter of the Buddhist king of Lanka with the blessings of Lord in the temple.  There are five Sabhas in the temple – Chittrambalam, Ponnambalam, Perambalam, Niruddha Sabha and Rajatha Sabha.  

The shrines of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are so structured that the devotee can have twin darshan from one spot in the temple.  This is a temple where Brahmma, Vishnu and Rudra grace the devotees together.   Saint Arunagirinathar had praised Lord Muruga of this temple in ten of his Tirupugazh hymns.  Many believe that Lord Nataraja is the presiding deity of this temple.  The presiding deity is Adhimoola Nathar in the Linga form.  Sages Patanjali and Vyakrapada wished that people of this earth too should have the chance to view and enjoy the great dance of Lord Shiva performed at Mount Kailash.  They came to earth and sat in penance on Adhimoolanathar for the purpose.  Responding to their selfless penance for the common people, Lord Shiva along with Tri Sahasra Muniswaras – 3000 sages came to this place and granted His dance darshan in Thai month (January­February) on Poosam Star day at 12.00 a.m.  These 3000 Muniswaras then came to known as Thillai Moovayiravar.   Chidambaram is a holy place that ensures total salvation to the souls.  For salvation, one should have his/her birth at Tiruvarur or live in Kanchi or think of Tiruvannamalai or die in Kasi.  If one worships Lords Tirumoolanathar and Nataraja at Chidambaram at least once in life time, salvation is reserved for the soul.

  Despite strong opposition to Nandanar to enter the temple due to community reasons, he entered the temple with all honours and merged with the Lord. His bhakti­devotion was too deep and true that transcended all blockades of caste discriminations.  Every one in the world, irrespective of race, colour, country, language, religion throng he temple for Lord Nataraja darshan and also participate in pulling the car­rath. Lord Brahmma organized a yajna and invited the 3000 Muniswaras to join in the pujas.  They simply replied that no great soulful gain could be achieved  by attending the yajna than the darshan of Nataraja at Thillai Chidambaram.  Lord advised them to go and attend the yajna and promised to appear there at the end of the yajna.  That form of His appearance in the Brahmma Loka is praised as Rathna Sabapathy.  This idol is under the Nataraja idol.  Every day, between 10.00 a.m and 11.00 a.m. Arati is shown to Lord Rathna Sabapathi, both at front and back.  There is a similarity in the design of Nataraja shrine and the human body, it is said.  The 21,600 golden tiles engraved with the Na Ma Shi Va Ya mantra represent the number of times one breathes each day.  The 72,000 nails used in the Ponnambalam represent the number of nerves of the human body.  The 9 entrances represent the nine conveniences in the body activating our movements.  Five steps to Ponnambalam represent the five letters of Na Ma Shi Va Ya Mantra.  Wooden supports numbering 64 represent 64 arts, 96 windows the 96 philosophies, the pillars the 4 Vedas, 6 Sastras and Panchaboodas.  Sri Chakra installed by Acharya Adi Sankara is in the Ambica shrine. The Arthajama puja in the temple has its own significance when, it is believed that all other Gods assemble here for worship.  Great Saivite poet Sekkizhar released His magnum Opus Periapuranam in this temple.  Saint Arunagiriar had praised Lord Muruga of this temple in his Tirupugazh hymns.
  

Temple History:

 Sage Vasishta, revered as leader of Rishis had a relative Madyandinar by name.  He had a son named Maadyandinar (the first name is short in sound, the next longer – spelling differs).  Sage Vasishta advised that the boy should worship the Swayambulinga in Thillai Vanam forests for gaining complete spiritual wisdom.  Son Maadyandinar reached this place.  He was sad that he lost his puja time in picking up flowers after sunrise and these flowers were not pure as the honey in the same are taken away by the bees.  He appealed to Lord Shiva saying that he was unable to pick the flowers in darkness due to lack of light and the flowers become unfit if picked after sunrise. Lord granted him hands and legs as that of a tiger to climb the tree and a bright vision to the eyes functioning well even in utter darkness.  Lord also said that he would be known henceforth as Vyakrapada as had the legs as a tiger.  Vyakrapada was 
too happy with the boon and name and continued his worship in Thillai.

(Read : What is Earth Magnetic field ???)

 Thillai Nataraja Kovil (or Temple, in English) situated in Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshiped in the form of Nataraja in dancing posture. The Presiding Deity of the temple is Thirumoolanathar (Lord Shiva) and the Goddess of the temple is Umayambikai (Goddess Parvathi).The unique feature of the temple is the bejeweled image of Nataraja. Lord Shiva is depicted as the Lord of dance radiating universal power. It is one of the temples where Shiva is represented as an anthropomorphic idol, rather than a Lingam. The worship of Lord Shiva in the form of Lingam is associated with the five elements water, fire, wind, earth and ether. Lord Shiva is worshiped in the form of Murthi (idol) in Chidambaram and is considered as one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalas.The dance stage of the temple is called as Chittrambalam and the holy tree is considered as the Thillai (Exocoeria agallocha) tree. The holy water source of the temple is Sivagangai and the hymns of the temple is Thevaram, sung by Sri Manickavachagar.  

Location: 
Thillai Nataraja Kovil is located in the town Chidambaram in Cuddalore district in the state Tamil Nadu, India. It is situated 78 km south to Pondicherry and 250 km from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. It is situated on the main railway route between Chennai and Trichy about halfway between these two cities.  The place derived its name from the surrounding Thillai forest. These trees are not seen in Chidambaram now but can be seen at Pichavaram, east of Chidambaram in the backwaters. The temple is one of the pancha bootha sthalas where God is worshiped in one of his manifestations – Sky or Aagayam. Other Pancha Bootha sthalas are Ekambareswarar temple at Kanchipuram (God is worshiped as Earth), Jambukeswarar temple at Thiruvanaikaval, in Tiruchirapalli (God is worshiped as Water), Annamalaiyar Temple at Tiruvannamalai (God representing Fire) and Kalahasti temple at Srikalahasthi (where the God is worshiped as Wind). 

 History:
  Thillai Nataraja Kovil is considered as the primary temple for all the Saivites. The term “Kovil” itself refers to this temple for Saivites, whereas “Kovil” refers to Srirangam temple for Vaishnavites.  The early structure of the temple was constructed and maintained by Perumtaccan of the respected clan of Vishwakarmas. The golden roof of the Chitambalam was laid by the Chola king, Parantaka I. In those flourishing times, kings Rajaraja Chola I and Kulothunga Chola I made significant donations to the temple. Gold and wealth to the temple were donated by Kundavai II, the daughter of Rajaraja Chola while Vikrama Chola made donations for the conduct of the daily rituals. The temple has been renovated several times since the reign of Pallavas and Cholas. Several parts of the temple were re­built by Aragalur Udaya Iraratevan Ponparappinan, in 1213 AD.  Donations to the temple were made later by various kings during various periods of time, including the Maharaja of Pudukottai, Sethupathy and the British. The emerald jewel donated by Sethupathy still adorns the deity.

 
Architecture:  
The place where the temple stands is the claimed center of the earth’s magnetic equator. This shows the tremendous engineering, geographical and astrological knowledge of the ancient architecturers.  The temple has nine gateways among which four of them have gopurams in the East, West, North and South. The eastern gopuram/pagoda has all the 108 dance postures of Bharathanatiyam. The south gopuram Sokkaseeyan Thirunilai Ezhugopuram was constructed by Pandya king. This is evident from the sculpted fishes (flag of Pandya king) in the ceiling. The smallest gopuram is the western gopuram that was constructed in 1150; but there is no evidence available to know the construction of this gopuram. However, there are sculptures depicting the Goddess fighting with buffalo­demon. The North Gopuram was constructed around 1300 AD with the brick portion constructed by the Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya in the 16th century. The East Gopuram, was claimed to have been constructed by the Pallava King, Koperunsingan II.
  Roof laid with 21,600 golden tiles with the word SIVAYANAMA inscribed on them. The roof of Ponnambalam is held by a set of 64 beams representing the 64 forms of art. It is also held by several cross beams representing the infinite blood vessels. The roof has been laid with 21,600 golden tiles with the word SIVAYANAMA inscribed on them representing 21,600 breaths, which represents the number of breaths taken in a 24 hour period.. The golden tiles are fixed using 72,000 golden nails that represents the number of nadis existing in the human body. The roof is topped by a set of 9 sacred pots or kalasas, representing the 9 forms of energy.  The temple contains five sabhas – Kanaka Sabha, Chit Sabha, Nritya Sabha, Raja Sabha and Deva Sabha.  The main deity, Lord Shiva is enshrined in Chit Sabha, with black screen covering behind Akasa Lingam. The Kanaka Sabha is located in front of Chit Sabha. The daily rituals are conducted here.  Nritya Sabha or Natya sabha – It is the hall, where Lord Shiva is said to have danced along with Goddess Kali (an incarnation with ferocious energy) to prove his Supremacy.  Raja Sabha or 1000 pillared hall – It represents the yogic chakra of 1000­petalled lotus.  Deva Sabhai – The hall houses pancha moorthis (five idols) of Lord Ganesha, Lord Muruga, Lord Somaskanda, Lord’s consort Sivananda nayaki and Lord Chandikeswarar.  There is also a Govindaraja shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu and it is one of the 108 holy temples of Lord Vishnu.  The Chidambaram temple is surrounded by several water bodies in and around the temple complex. The name of the connected tanks are Sivaganga tank, Paramanandha koobham, Kuyya theertham, Pulimadu, Vyagrapatha Theertham, Anantha Theertham, Nagaseri Tank, Brahma Theertham, Shivapiyai Tank and Thiruparkadal.  


Legends: 
 The story of Chidambaram starts with the legend of Lord Shiva moving to Thillai Vanam (Thillai – tree; Vanam means forest). There were a group of Rishis or sages in this forest believing that they can control the Supreme Power through mantras (chants), rituals and magical spells. To refute, Lord Shiva disguises as a mendicant and Lord Vishnu disguises as Mohini, the consort of the mendicant and tests the fidelity of the wives of few sages who were proud of their chastity.  Being a smart and beautiful mendicant, Lord Shiva enchants the wives of the sages. Enraged by this, the sages performs pooja and invoke serpents on Lord Shiva. He in­turn captures all the snakes and adorns them as ornaments around his matted locks, neck and waist. Then, the sages invokes a ferocious tiger from the holy fire and target it on the divine couple. Lord Shiva uses his nail to tear the skin of the tiger and wears it around his waist. After facing the defeat twice, the sages invokes a powerful demon – Muyalakan – a symbol of complete arrogance and ignorance. The Lord wearing on a gentle smile, steps on the demons back and makes him immovable. This is the point where he starts his Anandha Thandavam – an eternal blissful dance, and discloses who they really are. The sages surrender themselves and admit that Supremacy cannot be controlled by any other power.


Dikshithars:

  Thillai Nataraja Kovil is being maintained by the endogamous group of Shaivite Brahmins called Dikshithars, who also work as priests in the temple. It is said that these people were brought from Mt. Kailash by Saint Patanjali specifically for performing daily rituals in the temple. There were 3000 Dikshithars initially. Upon the request of Lord Brahma for performing pooja (ritual function), they made a Vedic sacrifice in heaven. After returning back from pooja, there were only 2999  Dikshithars. As they were wondering, they heard an oracle saying that the 3000th Dikshithar was Lord Shiva himself.



 



Popularity:
 The Anandha Thandava posture of Lord Nataraja (Lord Shiva in the Cosmic Dance) is one of the postures recognized all over the world. This celestial dance posture tells us how Bharathanatiyam, an ancient form of Tamil Nadu dance, should be performed.  The demon under Lord Nataraja’s feet signifies that ignorance is under his feet. The Fire in his hands signifies Him as the destroyer of all evil. His raised hand signifies that He is the savior of life. The ring at His back indicates the cosmos. The drum in His hand signifies the birth of life. It  is  believed  that  there  is  a  secret  message  conveyed  through  the embossed figure near the shrine of Shiva in Chidambaram temple. It is believed that both Lord Shiva and his consort Parvathi are living here and they are not viewable to the naked eye. The Chidambara Rahasyam (Secret of Chidambaram) is hidden behind the curtains present at the right side of Lord Nataraja sanctum. Worship or darshan is possible only when the priests open the curtain for pooja, acquiring Godliness. Behind the curtain, there are two golden leaves as from the vilva maram (Aegle Marmelos tree), signifying the presence of Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvathi whose physical form is believed to be viewable by the priests. The real meaning of the phrase Chidambara Rahasyam lies behind the curtain, which means that a person could know the secret of himself only when he removes the curtain of “Maya”. It is said that one can never reveal the secret until he removes the screen of Maya from one’s mind, To Realise Onself. The Chidambara Rahasyam also tells us another truth that relates to the period of Moses. It is said that according to the God’s commandments, Moses  constructed  a  Garba  Graha  but  did  not  place  any  idol  and covered it with a screen. This implies that God should need not only be worshiped with any idol as there is only one religion on the earth. 


Getting There: 
Chidam baram is  a bustlin g, modern city now well connec ted  by road, railway s  and air. The nearest airports present are at Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) and Chennai. The city is located on the Chennai­ Trichy mainline of Southern Railway. There are many trains connecting the town with other major cities of Tamil Nadu. Frequent bus services are also available from Chidambaram to various states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Pondicherry and various parts of Tamil Nadu. Non­stop bus services and express bus services are also available from here.