History Of Natraja Temple
The Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, dedicated to Shiva in his cosmic dancer form Nataraja, has a rich history, with its origins possibly dating back to prehistoric times and the temple's surviving structure tracing back to the early Chola dynasty in the 10th century.

Chola Dynasty:
The temple's surviving structure and architecture are primarily from the late 12th and early 13th centuries, with the Chola dynasty playing a significant role in its development and expansion.

Architects and Donations:
The temple's earliest structures were designed and erected by ancient craftsmen called Perunthakkan. Chola rulers, including Parantaka I, Rajaraja Chola I, and Kulothunga Chola I, made significant donations and contributions to the temple.

Restorations and Renovations:
The temple has undergone numerous restorations and renovations by different dynasties, including the Pallavas, Pandyas, Vijayanagara kings, Cheras, and Pallavas.

CHIDAMBARAM NATARAJA:
PANCHA BHOOTA STHALAMA heritage rich country, India is known for its vast culture and has several centuries-old temples, which are the epitome of the country’s magnificent architecture. Apart from being visually attractive, these sacred places have significant beliefs and history attached to them. Each is associated with unique, mystical facts.

Such are the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams—the five significant temples located in the South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Held in reverence for centuries, the presiding deity here is Lord Shiva.

The Indian tradition recognizes that the universe comprises of five cosmic elements—Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Sky. Therefore the five temples of Pancha Bhoota Sthalam signify the fundamental meaning of life itself. Each dedicated to Lord Shiva represents the manifestation of different five elements of nature.

The five temples are—Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeshwara (water), Kanchipuram Ekambareswarar (earth), Chidambaram Nataraja (sky), Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleshwarar (fire) and Kalahasti Nathar (air).

Significance:
The temple is considered one of the most important for Saivites, and it reverentially presents major themes from Shaktism, Vaishnavism, and other traditions of Hinduism.

At the centre of the temple is situated the sanctum sanctorum or holy of holiest, called the Cit Sabha or Cit Ambalam. This means the ‘Hall of Wisdom'. It is the main shrine where Lord Shiva Nataraja accompanied by his consort Parvati performs His Cosmic Dance, the Ananda Tandava or Dance of Bliss.

The Chidambaram temple is laid out as a Purusha. For this reason the devotees may approach the central shrine from two sides. As blood flows to and from the heart. The nine stupas topping the golden roof represent the nine orifices of the human body, and also symbolize the nine Matrikas or goddesses. The roof is made of 21.600 tiles, representing inhalations and exhalations of breath. The links and side joints symbolize the connecting veins.

Immediately to the proper right of the Nataraja is the Chidambaram Rahasyam, the ‘mystery' of Chidambaram. Here, behind a silk curtain which is black on the outside and red on the inside, is the Akasha Linga, in the form of a yantra. An abstract geometrical design, on which the deity is invoked. Behind the curtain, before the yantra, hang a few strands of golden vilva leaves. This signifies the act of creation. One moment nothing exists, the next instant the All has been brought into existence. At regular timings the curtain is removed to allow the devotees to worship the Akasha. he Ether which is the vehicle of the Absolute and Consciousness.