Thillai Natarajar Kovil and interesting facts about it

- May 30, 2021

Hello! Sukriti AD here. Welcome back.

Today's post is about the Thillai Natarajar Temple or the Chidambaram Natarajar Temple located in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. At the end, you'll have a few interesting facts about this temple! Miss at your own risk!

Chidambaram originates from the Tamil word 'Chitambalam' or 'Chitrambalam', which means 'Atmosphere of wisdom' or 'Clothed in thought'.

This temple was built in the 10th century when Chidambaram was the capital of the Cholas. It's architecture type is Dravidan. Shivan (Natarajar) is the primary deity of the temple.

A sacred pool (Kulam) is present, along with a few mandapams. Statues of Shiva (Nataraja) performing the Ananda Tandava (Dance of delight) are seen in the Pon Ambalam.

Here are a few amazing and interesting facts about this temple!

After 8 years of research, scientists have proved that the point where Lord Natarajar's big toe lies is the centre point of the Earth's magnetic equator.

Tirumular proved this 5000 years ago and his Tamil poetic work Tirumandiram shows it!

Chidambaram temple has 9 entrances denoting the 9 entrances or openings of the human body.

9 kalasas on the golden roof represent the 9 types of shakthis or energies. And also, the temple roof is made up of 21,600 gold sheets which denotes the 21,600 breaths taken by a human being every day. These 21,600 gold sheets were fixed on the Gopuram using 72,000 gold nails which denote the total number of Nadis (Nerves) in the human body. These transfer energy to certain body parts that are invisible.

6 pillars at the Artha Mandapam represent the 6 types of Sashtras.

18 pillars in the adjacant Mandapam represent the 18 Puranams.

Of the panchaboothangal (5 elements of nature) i.e. 5 temples, Chidambaram temple denotes the skies, Srikalahasti Temple denotes wind and Kanchi Ekambareswar Temple denotes land. All these temples are located in a straight line!