CHIDAMBARAM - AAKAASALINGA

Besides, this divya Kshetra enshrines the much - venerated Akasalinga, one of the five exalted lingas and worshipped with utmost reverence for ages. It is to this shrine the four great Saiva Samaya Achanyas- Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar, Manikyavachagar are immensely connected and produced master pieces eulogizing their respective paths- Charya, Kriya Yoga and Gnana; it is on this temple entrance pillars the entire dance history through 108 modes of dance are carved with descriptions as given in the Bharata Natya Satra; it is this Kshetra, that gave liberation to several hundreds of devotees, like Sage Nanda, Tirunilakantanayanar, Vyagrapada, Patanjali etc., it is to this temple Chola kings made liberal endowments, like adorning the roof with god plates; it is here according to inscriptions ,Hiranya Varma Chakravarthi of Kashmir was cured of his leprosy with a single bath in the temple pushkarini as far back as in 500 A.D. it is to this temple Nattukottai Chettiars vied with the royal families to making endowments, such as covering the ceiling with gold etc,. it is this presiding Lord that was ardently worshipped by imperial monarchs as the family deity; it is here the king dancer - Nataraja propounded the theory and function of dance forms, representing energy, rhythm, harmony and orderliness, for, he treats the world as his stage, and dance, representing the primeval rhythmic energy. And he dances to keeping up the life of cosmos, and it is to this temple donors deemed it a great privilege to employing master builders, whose craftsmanship left it a sculptural treasure house and architectural museum.

Emerged thus as a monumental piece of superb art, and a spiritual haven of supreme, significance it is- lifting the devout from the abyss of grief by, releasing them from the vicious circle of births and deaths, since the Vedic times. Hope by now the doubting Thomas goes home with the illumination that the world of spirit defies description and paying obeisance to that all powerful one alone brings everlasting bliss to all.

Location : The temple lies in Chidambaram, accessible by four wheelers from Mayuvaram, Tamil Nadu.

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