Re: Chidambaram Photos 1993
Namaste,
Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures and the text along with them.
Pranam.
Re: Chidambaram Photos 1993
Vannakkam SF:
Yes, it's a nice place, and I do hope you get there one day soon as well. I'd say it's definitely one of the more interesting temples of many there in TN. I'm lucky to have an old friend who lives a km or so away.
Our temple here has a unique connection, as our lingam was sanctified there before it's long journey home to here. It's quite small, but many have commented how strong it is, even for a small lingam. Most don't know the whole story like I do.
Happy travels soon.
Aum Namasivaya
Re: Chidambaram Photos 1993
Namaste
It is always exciting to see that members have this Temple (as well as other in TN) in mind and of interest to see photos, hear the histories, or who have even gone there or have a connection to the temples in TN.
EM, what you say about your Lingam is amazing! It truly must have the power of the Lord.
For some reason, I have been thinking about this particular temple for sometime now, but also Meenakshi Temple. But also ALL the temples!
I have been to temples in Vrindavan and other parts of North India, and of course in WB, next must be South India and Mauritius.
There are lay people like me, who really like temples. Just to see the temple grounds is a fascination that will take up an entire day! I like temples of every denomination. And I like when members tell us about temples in this section of the forum. For lay folks like me, temples are extremely important though we are not scholars on the sacred texts (not me, anyway) but we can be scholars on the Devas and Devi and the tirthas and the temples!
Om Namah Sivaya
Re: Chidambaram Photos 1993
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ShivaFan
Namaste
It is always exciting to see that members have this Temple (as well as other in TN) in mind and of interest to see photos, hear the histories, or who have even gone there or have a connection to the temples in TN.
EM, what you say about your Lingam is amazing! It truly must have the power of the Lord.
For some reason, I have been thinking about this particular temple for sometime now, but also Meenakshi Temple. But also ALL the temples!
I have been to temples in Vrindavan and other parts of North India, and of course in WB, next must be South India and Mauritius.
There are lay people like me, who really like temples. Just to see the temple grounds is a fascination that will take up an entire day! I like temples of every denomination. And I like when members tell us about temples in this section of the forum. For lay folks like me, temples are extremely important though we are not scholars on the sacred texts (not me, anyway) but we can be scholars on the Devas and Devi and the tirthas and the temples!
Om Namah Sivaya
Vanakkam shivafan
Nice pics...actually i have planned to visit chidambaram temple next week.
I use this site to know about temples around TN and try to visit them when ever i can.maybe this will be of use to you?
Re: Chidambaram Photos 1993
Not my intention to barge in on what is obviously a shaiva thread, but I have been here many times, the latest being 2012 and wanted to add my experiences.
There is a Vaishnava divya desam within the temple complex. Bhagavan there is Govindaraja Perumal. His consort is Pundarikavalli Thayar who has her own sannidhi as well.
The shaiva section is called 'chiRRambalam', whereas vaishnava section is called 'thiruchitrakootam'.
Two azhwars have waxed eloquent on this perumal. Kulasekhara Azhwar summarizes the entire rAmAyaNa in his pathigam. Thirumangai Azhwar, in his praise of this perumal, asks all tapasvIs to stop doing panchAgni vidyA penances such as living on air and roots, meditating on the five fires and instead come to worship Govindaraja, which will confer the fruits of all these penances automatically.
The sthala puranam of this shrine is common to both shaivas and vaishnavas and I will state it here.
Once, Shiva and Parvati had a dancing competition. They invited everyone to see their dance and Brahma was made the judge to see who was better. Brahma, however, was unable to make a decision and told them to dance in front of Vishnu. So, they invited Vishnu and danced. While dancing, Shiva lifted his leg in typical 'tAndava' pose. Parvati, being a lady, was shy to do that. Upon seeing this, sriman nArAyaNa declared Shiva as the victor. Parvati was angry and assuming the form of kAli, went away to a place near chidambaram that is now known as 'thillai kAli'. Then, after she and shiva had settled their differences, Bhagavan vAsudevA named Shiva as 'Nataraja'. Shiva asked Bhagavan mAdhavA to come and stay at this place as well, so he acceded to the request and became known as 'Govindaraja'.
Is this sthala purAna true? The idea is that the apaurushEya vedA is pramAna. Whatever contradicts the vedA is rejected. This story does not contradict the vedA and is accepted. All temples have such sthala purAnAs.
Of course, we vaishnavas will argue that the Govindaraja Sannadhi is observed to be slightly above the Shiva sannidhi and Bhagavan Govindaraja, in a lying posture on Adi Sesha, has his lotus feet directed towards the Nataraja Sannidhi, ie, at Nataraja himself. Though, Shaivas will not accept it!:)
Hope I didn't spoil your thread with that one!
This sthalam was also the witness of famous vedAntic debates in the past, such as that between Sholingur mahAchArya of Vishishtadvaita and Appayya Dikshitar of Shaiva Advaita. The shaiva section follows the shaiva agama-s whereas the vaishnava section follows the pAncarAtra agama-s.
So, whether you are shaiva or vaishnava, a visit to this temple and worship as per your inclination, vAsanas is a must!
Re: Chidambaram Photos 1993
Namaste Sri Vaishnava.
Of course Vaishnavas are invited to post in "Saiva threads"! I am a Saiva, but Vaishnavas are beloved to me, and while there are "categories" structured into the forum there are no closed doors or exclusive clubs specific to any relative of the Hindu Family in any category. At least I hope not!
I really enjoyed your sharing of the dancing contest. Actually, Lord Ganesh is probably the best dancer IMO and if He was part of the contest I think even Nataraj Lord Shiva would be in big trouble.
I was told once that Devi is actually the best dancer but She only gives Shiva the advantage because Gauri is a good wife but never forgets Her aspect of Shakti and certainly is ready to dance on the corpse of those things past or future, and will even dance ON Lord Shiva in somecases. But Gauri is "secretly known as Natarani". But don't ask me to quote Veda on that!
Since the Devas and Devi are present right now, everyday can be a new annal in Their Glory, who knows - one day in the future we may have a dance contest among many Devas and Devi. Who would be the judge, so many are dancers of renown, e.g. Rasa Lila and other examples. Lord Shiva, perhaps little known to some, is a majestic master at musical instruments, He could play music while Others dance.
I have noticed so many examples of the most ancient of temples having Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma and others as Surya all in the Temple complex, in fact it seems it was much more common in very ancient times and "scholars" often use this as a marker of indicating very ancient linage of the sacred site. I have discovered Saiva temples with full panels depicting the Ramayana, etc. as well. Of course, today new temples in other countries often have Devi and the Trimurti installed to serve the entire Hindu community.
One day I hope to go to Chidambaram as you have, all the more reason to visit and see Vishnu, too!
Om Namah Sivaya