Tiruchitrakootam (Chidambaram)
Temple Information
- Moolavar
- Govindarāja Perumāl
- Thayaar
- Puṇḍarīkavalli Thāyār
- Vimanam
- Satvika Vimānam
- Theertham
- Pundareeka Pushkariṇī
- How to reach
- This kshethram is located in the Naṭarāja temple at Chidambaram.
Shrine Location
Sthala Puranam
Legend has it that Lord Shiva and Devī Pārvatī once engaged in a competition to determine who was the better dancer. When the world was asked, they all responded, saying Lord Shiva was the better dancer. In hopes of getting a second opinion, Devī Pārvatī suggests that the divine couple go to Vaikuṇṭham and ask Lord Vishṇu for his opinion, as His opinion was supreme, and nobody could question Him. When the question was put before the Lord, he said he would watch the divine couple dance and would decide then who among them was a better dancer.
Thus, a maṇḍapam was constructed by Vishvakarma, known as the Chitra Maṇḍapam. The Lord descended from Vaikuṇṭham along with Shrīdevī and Bhūdevi reclining on Ādisheshan. Lord Shiva appeared as Naṭarāja at the forefront of the Chitra Maṇḍapam. All the devas and Lord Brahmā descended to Bhūlokam to witness the spectacle of Lord Naṭarāja and Devī Pārvatī's dance. Thus, Lord Naṭarāja and Devī Pārvatī began dancing, and all those present to witness the spectacle watched in awe as the duo danced at a level never before seen.
After the divine dance performance was concluded, Lord Vishṇu asked everyone present at the event who they thought performed better. Everyone voted in favor of Lord Naṭarāja, and Lord Vishṇu simply obliged by lifting his head. Devī Pārvatī, in anger, fled the scene and took the form of Devī Kāli outside Chidambaram. Thus, one can still see a temple of Devī Kāli here outside Chidambaram.
Special Note
The Lord here is said to be a direct reincarnation of Tirumalai Shrīnivāsa Perumāl. The Lord here is reclining on the seven-headed serpent Ādisheshan, whereas the Lord standing at Tirumalai is standing atop seven hills. Govindarāja Perumāl is depicted with Shankham and Chakram, one hand supporting his head and the other hand displaying the Varada Mudra. Similarly, Shrīnivāsa Perumāl can be seen with Shankham, Chakram, one hand tucked inside and another hand showcasing Varada Mudra.
This temple has a rich history. During the Chōla rule, Kulothunga Chōla II was said to have uprooted the presiding idol of the Lord from the Shrine at the Naṭarāja temple to show Shaiva dominance. It is said that Bhagavat Rāmānujāchārya took the utsava moorthy (Paartasarathy Perumāl) to Govindrajapatnam at Tirupati. When the kings changed over time, Krishnappa Nayaka of the Madurai Nayaka dynasty played a crucial role in reinstalling the Lord in this temple.
There was considerable resistance from the Shaivaites present at Chidambaram at the time to reinstalling an idol of Lord Vishṇu in a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. However, the king remained unmoved and reinstated the idol of the Lord, as seen in modern times.
Azhwar Pasuram
Tirumangai Āzhwār: 32 Pāsurams
Kulashekara Āzhwār: 11 Pāsurams
Total: 43 Pāsurams