Clothed in Wisdom

I've had the very good and blessed opportunity of visiting Chidambaram and Srimushnam recently.

Chidambaram

The very name Chidambaram means 'Clothed in wisdom / consciousness'. The once flourishing city of the Imperial Cholas is still a reverential and respected place, located in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. The place was once a dense forest - hence the name 'Thillai'. Chidambaram possesses perhaps one of the finest and mysterious temples of India - The Thillai Nataraja Temple, steeped in Hindu mythology & history, dedicated to Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer Nataraja. The temple is a Shaiva Pancha Bhoota Sthalam (Element : Sky / Ether). The temple is also a Vaishnava Divya Desam, as the abode of Lord Govindaraja Perumal, also known as 'Thiruchitrakoodam'. Spread over 45 acres with four Gopurams on all four sides visible from the Trichy highway, a visit to this spacious and divine place is an exhilarating experience.

 

Me at South Gopuram of Thillai Nataraja Temple

I visited the temple in the evening, after 4 PM from the South Gopuram entrance. On the walls of each Gopuram, neatly carved images displaying dance poses / bhangimas inspired from the treatise Bharatamuni's Natyasastra greet the pilgrims. These would later inspire the famous dance form of Bharatanatyam. Thus, visibly Chidambaram is the place where fine arts and spirituality co-exist. Niche carvings of Nayanars, Lord Vishnu mounted on Garuda, Mahishasuramardini are also impressive. Once inside the main mandapa, I was delighted beyond words to find that the east facing Govindaraja Perumal swamy's idol and the South facing Thillai Nataraja Swamy's idol are located just adjacent to each other. There are separate sub-shrines dedicated to Goddess Sivagami, Lord Adi moolanathar and Goddess Umiya Parvathi too. 

 

Few western sources (?) claim that the World's magnetic equator passes through the exact place where Lord Nataraja's idol is consecrated. The vibrations near the sanctum sanctorum are blissful and beyond description. Nine Separate pillared halls and pavilions are another brilliant feature of this temple. I spent atleast an hour at this awesome place! Next, I visited the Thillai Kali Amman temple, located in the outskirts, which seemed to be smeared in Red vermilion. The main deity, Goddess Thillai Kali, appears in a furious, reddish form, diagonally opposite tot he deity palced on entrance dedicated to much calmer Thillai Amman.   

Beautiful sculpture work - Srimushnam

Srimushnam

Goddess Bhu-devi saving Varaha was the third incarination of Lord SrimahaVishnu. Located some 40 kms away from Chidambaram, the Bhoo-Varaga Perumal Swamy temple of Srimushnam,originally attributed to Medieval Cholas, but alter day additons made by Tanjore Nayaka Kings, is a large & spacious temple, noted for Hindu-Muslim Unity as well. There's a Telugu inscription inside the temple too which was interesting. The brilliant & artistic sculpture and carving work on pillars, especially of plaited haired attendants is unique and distinguishing feature of the temple.   

Maheeth Veluvali,

24th of October, 2021,

16 Saladi Jamindar street, Palakollu,.