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Chidambaram is one of the most ancient and most
celebrated of shrines in India. Unlike most Shiva temples,
the icon or murti is not in the typical form of a linga. The temple
is dedicated to Lord Nataraja - Lord Siva in the form of Cosmic
Dancer. Chidambaram is one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams - temples
built for the 5 elements said to embody Shiva - at Chidambaram
(space), Kalahasti (wind), Thiruvanaikkovil (water), Tiruvannamalai
(fire) and Kanchipuram (earth).
 The temple is marked for its architectural styles. The innermost
sanctum of the temple, houses the grand images of Shiva (Nataraja)
and Parvati (Sivakami) in the ChitSabha or the hall of
consciousness. ChitSabha is the holiest shrine in the temple. To the
right of Shiva, is the revered Chidambara rahasyam - or a
representation of emptiness garlanded with golden vilva leaves.
The 100 pillared hall, in the outermost prakaram is also of artistic
value like Nritta Sabha, Sivakami Amman temple and the Subramanya
shrine. The most significant structures in this temple are the four
Gopurams or towers in four directions.
Two annual Bhrammotsavams at Chidambaram are of great significance,
as they involve colorful processions of festival deities in the car
streets. The grandest of these occurs in the month of Margazhi (Dec
15 - Jan 15). The second of the Bhrammotsavams happens in the month
of Aani, and it concludes with Aani Tirumanjanam on the tenth day.
Chidambaram temple is easily accessible by road from Chennai and
Nagapattinam. One of the holiest cities in India, Chidambaram is
visited by thousands of Shaivite and Vaishnavite pilgrims who flock
to the sacred Nataraja temple every year.
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