Chidambaram (MADRAS-TRICHINOPOLY MAIN LINE) otherwise known as Chitrambalam, "the atmosphere of wisdom," is 151 miles away from Madras. The great temple at Chidambaram is of hoary antiquity and stands foremost amongst the Siva temples in South India. For, it en-shrines the "Akasa Linga," one of the important Pancha Lingams, the other four being "Prithivi Lingam" at Conjeeveram, "Appu Lingam" at Tiruvanaikkaval, otherwise known as Jambukeswaram, "Tejo Lingam" at Tiruvannamalai and "Vayu Lingam" at Kalahasti.

The famous temple at Chidambaram is consecrated to Nataraja (God Siva in His aspect as the Cosmic Dancer). The figure of Nataraja is the noblest image of God and the peak of Hindu art. The grand conception of the cosmic dance of Nataraja is attributable to the rishi-artists of India. "The arch over Sri Nataraja is Omkara; and the akshara (Panchakshara) which is never separate from the Omkara is the contained splendour."

The figure of Nataraja has a spiritual and highly philosophical meaning. It signifies His five activities (Panchakrityas) viz., creation, protection, destruction, illusion and salvation

The drum in the right hand in the rear indicates creation, meaning thereby that sound (Sabda) gives rise to creation and the other right hand in front is in the Abhaya pose, the hand of hope from which protection is assured. The left hand in the rear holds fire from which destruc-tion proceeds. "But what does He destroy? Not merely the heavens and earth at the end of a Kalpa, but the fetters that bind each separate soul." The left hand in front, Tandavahasta points to the lifted foot in the turiya state which grants eternal bliss to those that approach Him. These five acts represent the activities of the deities Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Maheswara and Sadasiva, according to the Saiva Siddhanta school of philosophy.

The right foot crushes the giant Muyalaka representing the forces of evil. The way in which the artist has balanced Siva on the Muyalaka is unique. The amiable face of Nataraja indicates Anugraha which is the last of the Panchakrityas attributed to him. He wears the skin of the tiger which he slew, signifying that egoism or Ahankara must disappear. The deer is placed near the legs and apart from the figure of Nataraja. The deer is comparable to the mind. This is to illustrate that the Atman is beyond the reach of the deer like mind. The Ganges on the head represents Chit-Sakti or wisdom.

These are some of the main symbolic features of the Nata-raja image which is the most beautiful repre-sentation that the human mind can think of throughout the Hindu pantheon. It is not strange, therefore, that the esoteric meaning and mystical significance of the dancing aspect of Siva have fascinated for ages the imagination of sages like Patanjali, Vyaghrapada and Tirumular, poets and saints like Manickavachagar, Sekkilar, Tiruneelakantar, Maikanda Thevar and Nandanar. The temple at Chidambaram has been sanctified to a large extent by their association.

This temple is one of the very few in India where both Siva and Vishnu have shrines in such close proximity that their respective followers may worship at the same place and have darshan of both the deities at the same time. The shrine dedicated to Sri Govindaraja is referred to as "Chitrakutam" in Vaishnavite literature.

On the wall behind the idol of Nataraja is a Chakra or mystical disc over which runs a curtain which is removed on specific occasions of worship and the Holy of Holies is revealed as mere space out of which the blissful Nataraja is stated to have emerged. This Holy of Holies constitutes the Chidambara Rahasya or the Secret of Chidambaram.

The huge gopuras, the numerous mantapas, and the fine temple structure at Chidambaram are the lavish endowments and liberal gifts of the rulers of the land, the Pallavas, the great Cholas, the Pandyas, the Nayaks and the monarchs of the Vijayanagar Empire.

The gopura or tower at the Northern entrance was erected by the celebrated Vijayanagara King, Krishnadevaraya. The Eastern and Western towers are worthy of study as they contain sculptural representations of the 108 postures of the Hindu classical art of dancing mentioned in the Bharata Natya Sastra

Among the other places of interest inside the temple may be mentioned the hall of 1,000 pillars with the exquisite carving, the shrine dedicated to the Goddess Sivakami, the Sivaganga tank, the shrine of a huge Ganesha, the shrine of Subrahmanya with its recent paintings underneath the roof, the Nritya Sabha or Hall of Dance and the Sanctum Sanctorum known as Chit Sabha. The five steps leading to the Chit Sabha are plated with silver and signify the five sacred letters of "Panchakshara Mantra."

The Kanaka Sabha or the Golden Hall opposite the central shrine is a fine specimen of Dravidian architecture

It was from the shrine at Chidambaram that the sacred Tevaram hymns of Saints Sundarar, Tirunavukkarasar and Gnanasambandhar were unearthed by the Chola King Rajaraja the Great with the help of Nambiandar Nambi who afterwards compiled whatever was salvaged from the ruin wrought by white ants.

Two important festivals in the temple attract thousands of pilgrims every year by rail, viz. the Ani Tirumanjanam in June-July and the Arudra Darsanam in December-January.