Guest guest Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 Chidambaram or more correctly—Chittambalam (the atmosphere of wisdom) is about 150 miles south of Madras and seven miles from the coast. It is in the South Arcot district. It is a Railway station on Southern Railway on the main line. It is chiefly noted for the most sacred and celebrated temple of Lord Nataraja. The temple is in the midway between the Vellar river on the north and the Coleroon on the South, the sea on the east and the Viranam lake on the West. In days of yore the Pandya Kings, the Chola Kings and the Pallava Kings patronized the temple. All the Tamil saints have sung praises of the Lord. The temple was the chosen abode of saints and poets. There is Akasa lingam in Chidambaram. Lord Nataraja, the presiding Deity of the temple is in dancing pose. His left leg is raised. The idol of Nataraja is enshrined in the Holy Sanctum, known as the Chit Sabha. There is a curtain behind the idol of Nataraja. This is removed on special occasions of worship. There is mere space which represents Nirguna Brahman, devoid of all names and forms. This is the Chidambara Rahasya. Lord Nataraja has come out of the attributeless Brahman. There is a chakra (Chidambara Chakra) which contains the Panchakshara or five-letters of Lord Siva—Nama Sivaya—on the wall to the back of this idol. There are five courts or Sabhas in the temple viz., the Chit Sabha, Kanaka Sabha, Raja Sabha or Durbar, the Nritta Sabha and the Deva Sabha. Lord Nataraja danced in the Chit Sabha or the Hall within the temple. The five steps that lead to the Golden pillared hall or Kanaka Sabha represent the five letters—Nama Sivaya. The Raja Sabha is located within the thousand-pillared Hall. The Nritta Sabha demonstrates the Oordha Tandava dance of Lord Nataraja. Govindaraja, the presiding deity of a Vishnu temple also dwells within this temple. The image of Nandanar, the Pariah saint is in a corner near the Nritta Sabha. The Dikshatar Brahmins do worship in the temple. There are 250 families of Dikshatars. Darshan of Lord Nataraja with intense bhav gives Mukti. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 guruvayur , Indu <sowparnika999 wrote: > > Chidambaram or more correctly—Chittambalam (the atmosphere of wisdom) is about 150 miles south of Madras and seven miles from the coast. It is in the South Arcot district. It is a Railway station on Southern Railway on the main line. It is chiefly noted for the most sacred and celebrated temple of Lord Nataraja. > > > > The temple is in the midway between the Vellar river on the north and the Coleroon on the South, the sea on the east and the Viranam lake on the West. In days of yore the Pandya Kings, the Chola Kings and the Pallava Kings patronized the temple. All the Tamil saints have sung praises of the Lord. The temple was the chosen abode of saints and poets. > > > > There is Akasa lingam in Chidambaram. Lord Nataraja, the presiding Deity of the temple is in dancing pose. His left leg is raised. The idol of Nataraja is enshrined in the Holy Sanctum, known as the Chit Sabha. There is a curtain behind the idol of Nataraja. This is removed on special occasions of worship. There is mere space which represents Nirguna Brahman, devoid of all names and forms. This is the Chidambara Rahasya. Lord Nataraja has come out of the attributeless Brahman. > > > There is a chakra (Chidambara Chakra) which contains the Panchakshara or five-letters of Lord Siva—Nama Sivaya—on the wall to the back of this idol. > > There are five courts or Sabhas in the temple viz., the Chit Sabha, Kanaka Sabha, Raja Sabha or Durbar, the Nritta Sabha and the Deva Sabha. > > > Lord Nataraja danced in the Chit Sabha or the Hall within the temple. The five steps that lead to the Golden pillared hall or Kanaka Sabha represent the five letters—Nama Sivaya. The Raja Sabha is located within the thousand-pillared Hall. The Nritta Sabha demonstrates the Oordha Tandava dance of Lord Nataraja. > > Govindaraja, the presiding deity of a Vishnu temple also dwells within this temple. The image of Nandanar, the Pariah saint is in a corner near the Nritta Sabha. > > The Dikshatar Brahmins do worship in the temple. There are 250 families of Dikshatars. > > Darshan of Lord Nataraja with intense bhav gives Mukti. > Namaste The following two pages of mine may be of interest to those readers of the above. http://www.geocities.com/profvk/gohitvip/4401.html http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/2952/gohitvip/4402.html PraNAms to all devotees of Nataraja profvk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 Dear All, Some more small information to you all about Chidambaram. In TN, there are basically 2 sects in Brahmins - shaivites (Worshipers of Sri Shiva) & Vaishnavites (Worshippers of Sri Mahavishnu). For Shaivites " Sri Kovil " by default means/is CHIDAMBARAM.Actually the temple name is Chidambaram - later the the whole town got the name chidambaram. For Vaishnaivites - " Sri Kovil " by default means/is - Sri Rangam (Near Tiruchirapalli) Chidambaram is South of River Cauvery & Sri Rangam North of River Cauvery. Both the " rajas " are on either side of the temple- Actually in chidambaram temple itself there is Govindaraja Perumals Temple (Sannadhi) - he's lying on Adisheshan (South - North Direction) - Lord Nataraja faces south - Standing in one common place outside the two sannadhis we can see shiva-vishnu. (This is called as Thiruchitrakoodam) ------- Information about temple puja timings Morning the temple opens by 6AM and then nirmalya darshanam. The holy padukais of Lord Nataraja is brought from " Palli Aarai (Bed Chamber) " and Deeparadanai is done. Between 7-830AM Abishekam is done for the spadika lingam - Sri Chandramouliswarar - This lingam was given by Lord Shiva to Sri AdiSankaracharya. The first Kala deeparadhanai and Chidambara Rahasya Darsanam is shown. One can have darshanam by ascending to the " sabai " , to go to the sabai and have darshanam one should wear dhothi (Veshti) and no Shirts/banians etc... After archanai the " deekshather " - priest who does the puja for the day - will show the rahasyam and deeparathanai is shown. By 1030 2nd kala pujai will start, first abishekam is done to Sri Chandramouliswarar, then to Sri Rathna Sabapathy - This lord natraja in Rathnam - During this abishekam - the deekshadhar will show deeparathanai - when he shows deeparathanai in front - you can see the back of lord - when shows in the back - you can see the front part of lord. A rare one... After this again Deeparathanai, rahasya poojai is done and open for darshanam. By 1230 - the noon pujai (Uchikala Pujai) commences - Abishekam to Sri Chandramouliswarar and then deeparadhanai and Rahasya Puja is done. The temple is closed and reopens in evening by 430. Evening pujai starts by 515-530, Abishekram to Sri Chandramouliswarar, Swarna Aakarshana Bairavar (A Panchaloha idol) is done. (Abishekam for Swarna Aakarshana Bairavar is done elobarately if some one pays for). 1st deeparathanai is for Swarna Akarshana Bairavar. Then Sri Bairavar is taken inside to the chitsabai. The deekshadar puts bali in the bali kals between 540-600pm. The evening deeparadhanai is a grand endevaour - The deeparadhanai starts by 6 - The bells ringing along with suddha matthalam - cymbals --- n what not..!!!! Its recommended to have rahasya darshanam from down - only deekshadars can have darshanam from the sabai...althought they show it during non puja hours... evening 2nd kala puja starts by 745, abishekam to Sri Chandramouliswarar,Deeparathanai & rahasya darshanam. By 920 the night pujai starts (Artha jamam) - Abishekam to Sri Chandramouliswarar, then a grand deeparadhanai & then the Sri Padams of Lord is bought down to a Pallaku amidst vedha gosham and music. Its taken cerimoniously around and near Dwajasthambam - pujai n deeparathanai is done and taken to Sri Palli Aarai. Here the lord retires for the day. Deeparathanai is done with much pomp.... and then people rush to bairavars sannadhi, the keys are kept near bairravar and deeparathanai is done. Then deeparathanai in Brahma chandi keswarars sannadhi, - Sri Chandikeswarar is a siva baktha who always in Siva dyanam. In TN in most of the temples Sri Chandikeswarars sannadhi is on the left side of Moolasthanam of Sivan sannadhi ( near the place where abisheka theertham flow out..) Always one should pray to him after siva darshanam Here in chidambaram - the Mummoorthys (3 murthys) - Brahma- Vishnu - Siva all are in same complex ( in Suchindram - SriThanumalayan Swami temple they r in same idol) After Sri Chandikeswarars sannadhi, all go to " Ardha Jama Azhagars " sannadhi - here also deeparathanai is done, after this only prasadam is given. ------------- In short: 530-6AM - Nirmalaya Darshanam 6-730 - Kala Sandhi (Morning Puja) 1030-12 - Irandam Kalam ( Mid morning) 1230-115pm -Uchhi kalam (Noon) 530-630 - Sayaratchai ( pradhosham, evening) 745-830 - Irandam Maru kalam ( mid evening) 930- to temple closue - Arthajamam. (Night) ----- In all the six kaalams Abishekam is done to Sri Chandramouliswarar, and in 1030AM puja alone abishekam for Sri Rathna sabapathy is done after Sri Chandramouliswarar. The sree padhukais of lord is taken cermoniously inside the temple praharams duriing the artha jama pujas of every friday, tamil month begining, Aadi month fridays and on special occasions. ------------ Abishekam for Moolavar SriNatarajar & Sivakama sundari is done 6 times ina year. The reason behind is, for a mortal like us -365 days is 1 year - for Deva's - our one year is 1 day. In our temple there are 6 kalam pujais in a day, same as for devas. Since Devas worship Sri Nataraja as Siva, they do puja for him 6 times a day. ----------------- For us a typical day starts with 1. Brahma Murtham - early morning - 4-630AM, The coldest part of day, start of day- in our tamil month its Dhanur masam. Arudra Darshanam a.k.a THIRUVADHARAI falls during this. Thiruvadhirai festival is celebrated with splendour- Abishekam is done to lord nataraja in the early morning on Thiruvadhirai day. Its Pournami day. 2. 1030-1130 - Vasantha Kalam, Spring. Warm part of Morning - Normally feb-mar the best part of day - Maasi month in tamil. Abishekam is in the evening, on Maasimagam day or " Valar Pirai - Chathurdasi Thithi " (Valar Pirai - is Waxing Phase of moon - Ammavasai to Pournami) 3.12-115pm - Uchhi Kaalam - Hotest part of day - Normally apr-jul - Chithirai month in tamil. Abishekam is in the evening, on Maasimagam day or " Valar Pirai - Chathurdasi Thithi " (Valar Pirai - is Waxing Phase of moon - Ammavasai to Pournami) 4. 430-630 - Evening, Pradhosha Kaalam - Tamil Month of " Aani " , the famous " Aani Thirumanjanam " - (Thirumanjanam - Abishekam). Its the pradhosha kaalam for devas. Abishekam in the early morning, on Aani Uthiram star day (Pournami) 5. 7-830 - start of Night, Tamil month of " AaiPasi " - Abishekam in evening. valar pirai chathurdasi day. 6. 9-10 - Artha jamam - rainy season - colde climates starts, Abishekam in evening - valar pirai chaturdasi day. -- Lord Nataraja - gives darshan in 2 forms in the sabai, As the " formless " - Chidambara Rahasyam a.k.a " Aroopam " . - Form - Lord Nataraja itself - Roopam. Chidambaram is " ether " Aagaya sthalam in Pancha Boothams, Its heart in case of human - The sabai is such that people enter through one way and come out through other/ways - like our hear where the blood takes a " U-turn " . -------- The priest who offer worship are called " Deekshadhars " in tamil as " Iyya " . They wear their tuft in the left part of head, in a human body the left part is heart - Lord shiva gave his left part of Parvathy. So the tuft falls in the left side. Symbolizes " Siva-Sakthi " - (I think nambuthris also wear their tuft in left side....) The deekshadars are known for their well learnedness, they know all the 3 vedas - rig-yajur-samam. They are self appointed by Lord himselves. They control the temple. ----------------------------- I have typed a lot - but this is very little. I will send more details in upcoming sessions all due to the blessings of almighty. Thanks & Regards K Gowri Shankar -------- NARAYANA NARAYANA -------- Gowri Shankar K O M N E X S Y S T E M S # 1/807A, Pillayar Kovil Street, Okkiyam, Thoraipakkam -600 096, Chennai,Tamil Nadu É044-2496-0682/83 È+ 91 9444219459 œ kgshankar Relax. Mail virus scanning helps detect nasty viruses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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