Chidambaram Nataraja Swamy Temple Timings, Darshan, History

Chidambaram Thillai Nataraja Temple Details

India is a beautiful country marked by ancient, holy temples/ shrines rich in history. Hindu devotees visit from far and wide to pay homage to the Deities and receive blessings. Besides the temple worship activities, people visit to view beautiful sceneries, big rivers, nature, national parks, and more. The majority of the temples are situated near riverbanks and mountains. Pilgrims can venture into different activities after or before their temple visit day. The temples allow devotees to cleanse their sins through holy dips and receive blessings like wealth, good health, and prosperity.

Tamil Nadu residents can attest to the incredible blessing and holiness brought by the Thillai Nataraja Temple/ Chidambaram Nataraja Temple. The Hindu temple is a great icon in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. Thillai Nataraja Temple welcomes thousands of pilgrims yearly, all with the quest to worship Lord Shiva (Lord of the Dance). The temple is named Thillai since it existed when the town was called Thillai in Chidambaram, which means stage of consciousness.

Thillai Nataraja Temple Chidambaram

Chidambaram Thillai Nataraja temple counts as one of Lord Shiva’s temples but holds the unique presence of the Deity dancing. Pilgrims visit to view the decorated idol of Nataraja, Lord Shiva dancing Bharatanatyam.Shiva’s images are shown in anthropomorphic murthi instead of anionic lingam.

All the Lord Shiva’s temples represent natural elements such as water, fire, earth, wind, and air (ether). The Thillai Nataraja temple represents ether; the temple area means an atmosphere of wisdom or clothed in thought. Visitors can explore the five chambers in Thillai temple, namely:

• Kanaka Sabha,
• Cit Sabha,
• Nritta Sabha,
• Deva Sabha
•  Rja Sabha.

Factors/ features of Thillai Nataraja Temple

• The temple is solely dedicated to Lord and provides significant spiritual ceremonies.
• Lord Shiva performs Ananda Tandava, a dancing form unlike the normal form of Linga.
• Lord Shiva and Vishnu worshipping together, making it unique for two deities in the same temple. However, Lord Govindaraja Perumal is also situated in the temple, making three divinities.
• The temple is built with incredible architectural designs. There are nine gateways, four decorated with towers/gopurams and nice carvings, five walls, etc.

Meaning of the Ananda Tandava Posture

The dance provides a different meaning and shows how devotees should do the bharathanatium dance.

• First, the demon under the Nataraja’s feet shows ignorance, and bad omens are under his feet.
• The fire on the hands is the power of destruction and destroyer of evil things.
• The raised hand is a sign of the savior of all.
• The ring on the back indicates the universe.
• The drum shows the origin of life.

How to Book Chidambaram Nataraja Temple Darshan Pooja Bookings

Chidambaram Nataraja Temple receives thousands of visitors, especially on weekends. This can make manual booking quite difficult for pilgrims. However, the temple authorities have designed an online portal www.chidambaramnataraja.org for easy booking. After booking and selecting your preferred date. The site doesn’t allow for cancellation or date change. The user should print the receipt to show at the temple counter.

Chidambaram Nataraja Swamy Temple Darshan Timings

Dharshanam Slot	Dharshan Time
Morning	06.00 AM to 12.00 noon
Evening	05.00 PM to 10.00 night

Daily Pooja Timings

Time: 06.30 AM PAAL NAIVEDHYAM
[PADHUKA (Lord’s footwear) being brought from palliyarai to sanctum santorum in a palanquin]
7.00.a.m. MAHA AARTHI

07.45 AM to 9.00 AM KALASANDHI POOJA ( First Pooja of the day)
[During the time Kalasandhi Homam, Spatika linga abhishekam and Maha aarthi]

10.00 AM to 11.00 AM. IRANDAAM KAALAM ( 2nd Pooja of the day)
[During the time Spatika linga abhishekam & Rathna sabhapathi- Rubi Natarajar abhishekam]

11.30 AM to 12.00 NOON UCHIKAALAM (3rd Pooja of the day)
[During the time Spatika linga abhishekam and aarthi and the Temple will be closed]

05.15 PM to 6.00 PM. SAAYARAKSHAI ( 4th Pooja of the day)
[During the time Spatika linga abhishekam and Shotasopachaara aarthi]

07.00 PM to 8.00 PM IRANDAAM KAALAM (5th Pooja of the day)
[During the time spatika linga abhishekam, Chidambara rahasya pooja, Maha aarthi]

09.00 PM to 10.00 PM ARDHAJAAMAM (6th and last Pooja of the day)
[During the time spatika linga abhishekam, Maha Aarthi and then PADHUKA comes back
to Palliyarai in a Palanquin, Maha aarthi at Palliyarai, Chandeswarar Aarthi, Bhairavar Aarthi, Ardhajaama Sundharar Aarthi]

To perform daily Poojas, the temple opens morning and evening (every day) as follows:

Thillai nataraja temple chidambaram opening time

• Morning: 6:00 Am to 12:00 PM
• Evening: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

How to Reach Chidambaram by Train, Flight, Bus or Road

Visitors can connect through the following means and modes.

• Air (Flight)

There are airports in Tiruchirapalli (165km) away from Chidambaram and Chennai (200 km).

• Train

Pilgrims can use the Trichy railway station is only 8km away from the temple.

• Road

The town has a connection of buses, taxis, private bus companies, and more. It’s easy to travel by road compared to other means.

For more information about Chidambaram Nataraja Swamy Temple Timings, Darshan, History etc.. visit official website link http://www.chidambaramnataraja.org/about_temple.html (or) https://cuddalore.nic.in/tourist-place/chidamabaram/