Early medieval · Hindu · India

Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu · 11.3995°, 79.6935°

Shiva as Nataraja (Lord of Dance)CholaDravidaPancha Bhoota SthalamPaadal Petra Sthalam

Sacred since

600 CE

Sung by 7th-c. Nayanmars; site far older in tradition

Standing structure

core 10th c.; expanded to 13th c.

Chola

History & significance

The cosmic-dance temple where Shiva is worshipped as Nataraja performing the Ananda Tandava — the image that became a global icon of Indian art. It is the akasha (space/ether) shrine of the five-element temples, and was effectively the state temple of the Cholas, administered to this day by the hereditary Dikshitar priesthood.

Sthala katha — the legend

Behind the sanctum hangs the Chidambara Rahasyam — the 'secret of Chidambaram': a curtain drawn to reveal empty space, teaching that God is formless. Legend tells of Shiva's dance contest with Kali, won by the lifted-leg pose she could not, out of modesty, perform.

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