This is a very famous East facing Temple with a seven tiers Rajagopuram and built in Chidambaram Town. Some refer this Temple as Sri Sabha Nayagar Temple. The Presiding Deity is Lord Natarajar who is considered as an incarnation of Lord Shiva. He is found as a Swayambhumurthy here. This Temple was built around the 10th century when Chidambaram was the Capital of the Chola Dynasty. It is one of the biggest Temples in India spread over 35 acres of land. Nataraja and his Dance of Bliss is an ancient Hindu art concept. This Temple is built close to the banks of River Kollidam. King Raja Raja Cholan sought the help of Nambiyandar Nambi in finding out several old scripts pertaining to the Temple. This Temple has stood the test of time in bearing the brunt of several Muslim invasions and plundering. This is one rare Temple which was repeatedly attack by the then Muslim invaders like Allaudeen Khilji and Malik Kafur. Just beneath the Rajagopuram are two Sub Shrines for Vinayagar and Murugan. There are Several Sub Shrines in this Temple for the following: Urthuva Thandavar, Somaskandar, Kalasamharamoorthy, Sarabeshwarar, Vinayagar, Thayumananvar, Subramaniyar, Panniru Thirumuraigal, Meikandar, Arulnandhi Sivam, Maignana Sammandhar, Umapathy Sivam, Naalvar, Dhaksinamoorthy, Pallikeshwarar, Vallaba Ganapathy, Jagan Mohana Ganapathy, Aadhi Moolanathar, Arunachaleswarar, 63 Nayanmaars, Arthajama Azhagar, Sangu Oodhi Vinayagar.  There are several multi pillared Mandapams with etched and carved pillars. Though a Shiva Temple, there is a Shrine for Govindharaja Perumal too. This is one of the rarest of rare Temples where Sivan in the form of Natarajar and Maha Vishnu in the form of Govindaraja Perumal are found in the same Temple. The Consort of Govindaraja Perumal is known as Pundarikavalli Thaayar. This is considered as the 40th Divya Desam by the Vaishnavites. Facing the Moolasthanam of Govindaraja Perumal is a Bali Peedam, Dwajasthambam and a Garudalwar Sannadhi. There are Sub Shrines here for Subramaniyar, Ganesha, Nandhi Vahanam, Maha Vishnu, Suryan and Amman. The Temple is made up of 9 major Gopurams and various other Praharams. Some of the Gopurams are seven tiered and are colourfully painted. The Temple has many Halls which are called as Sabhas or Ambalams. 2 of these Sabhas, viz. Chit Sabha and Kanaga Sabha are located within the Sanctum Sanctorum. This Temple is referred as Por Sabhai and Chidambaram Temple is one of the five places where Sivan is said to have displayed His Shiva Thandavam. There is a huge Pushkarani known as Siva Gangai Theertham and its beleived that a dip here would cure all the ailmets of His Devotees. The Temple Purohits here are known as Dhikshidhars. The Sthala Viruksham of the Temple is Thillai Maram. There is a huge Temple Car or Chariot which is used twice during massive crowd drawing festivals. This is one the most important Temples in Tamil Nadu that no Devotees would ever miss. The Temple has a Madapalli and a Annadhana  Koodam. The Ghoshala of this Temple is meticulously maintained . Aippasi Annabishegam, Arudhra Dharisanam, Masi Magam, Pradhosham, Navarathri are some of the festivals are celebrated in a grand manner. Its a Pancha Boodha Sthalam and well known for the Cosmic Dance of Lord Nataraja which is believed to run the Universe.

Temple Timings: 6 AM to 12 Noon and 5 PM to 9 PM

Contact Details: Swarna Sabapathy 93605 54359, 94436 35280, 04144 22717 and 04144 230251.

Distance from Viluppuram to Chidambaram is 92 Kms

Distance from Virudhachalam to Chidambaram is 45 Kms

Distance from Ariyalur to Chidambaram is 99 Kms

Distance from Trichy to Chidambaram is 161 Kms

Distance from Pondicherry to Chidambaram is 64 Kms

Distance from Kumbakonam to Chidambaram is 81 Kms

Distance from Thanjavur to Chidambaram is 119 Kms

Distance from Srimushnam to Chidambaram is 36 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Chidambaram is 230 Kms

Nearest Railway Station Chidambaram R.S.

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