Thursday, January 5, 2012

Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram is one of the prominent temples in South India. This 6th century Lord Shiva temple represents element sky of the basic 5 elements of nature (Others land, water, air, fire). The place where temple located is the center point of world's magnetic equator.

The temple occupies 40 acres of land and had several renovations over the years in the the ancient and pre-medieval periods by several dynasties such as Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara and Chera.The temple is well endowed with several water bodies within and around the temple complex.

There are 9 gateways around the temple from where one can enter the temple complex. 4 of the gateways facing in the East, West, South and North are 7 storeys.

The intricate carvings adorn the tower. The sculptures of the temple were inspired the postures of dance form Bharatha Natyam.

53 comments:

Sridharan said...

I have been to Chitambaram a few times.. Your post is kindling me to visit it again..! Nice pictures..!

Steffi said...

Great photos of India again! I would love to see such temple in real life!
Have a nice weekend!

Carver said...

Beautiful temple. I love the reflection in the first shot.

Sylvia K said...

Gorgeous sculptures and temples and great skies for a background! Wonderful captures as always, Rajesh! Have a great weekend!

Sylvia

Anne said...

So nice!!! and a world so different than mine, stunning :-)

Annemor said...

I like your pictures,
Mormor Norway

Photo Cache said...

i want to ask if these temples get very crowded with visitors.

Unknown said...

I can't get over the size as well as the carvings!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

joo said...

It's hard to believe that something such wonderful can so ancient!

forgetmenot said...

That is an amazing structure. I can't imagine how long it must have taken to carve all of that beautiful, detailed work. Lovely. Mickie :)

Arija said...

Beautiful tiered sculptures and a lovely reflection shot.

Al said...

An incredible temple, nice shots.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Beautiful photos!

Skywatch, have a nice weekend!

Indrani said...

There was huge rush the day we visited. Struggled to get a good darshan. Great captures Rajesh!

Jama said...

I'm always intrigue by the sculptures surrounding the temple,especially those on several layers of the exterior. Each must have a story to tell.

Teamgsquare said...

Lovely gopura .

Rakesh Vanamali said...

This is so wonderful.

Leovi said...

Beautiful pictures full of fantasy. This temple is truly one of the great wonders of art, how beautiful is this place.

Liz said...

Love the sculptures! Happy sky watching.

Skywatch

Anonymous said...

Lovely temple with lovely reflections!

R Niranjan Das said...

Beautiful temple.

www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

thomas said...

Beautiful temple,beautiful reflections.

alicesg said...

Very beautiful temple. Love how the temple was reflected in the water. Have a nice weekend.

Gattina said...

Makes me speachless and that doesn't happen very often !

Anonymous said...

The temple is impressive.

My name is Riet said...

How beautiful. I love that temple, would love to see it.

Ash said...

What an impressive temple and architecture! Fabulous photos!

Lowell said...

So sharp and well-exposed are your photos and overall a delightful post. The colored sculptures blow my mind! Really quite incredible!

James said...

Awesome shots!

Carole M. said...

totally amazing architecture and photographs too

Gemma Wiseman said...

The temple is an amazing size! So much to wander and explore! Love the many little figurines that are like a sculptured frieze!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Awesome shots.

Shadow Shot at my page. Have a blessed Sunday!

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Beautiful images of a wonderful cluster of magnificent temples.

Ramakrishnan said...

Beautiful pics of Chidambaram temple. Exquisite architecture & sculptures.

Liz said...

Beautiful captures. Have a fabulous week.

Liz @ MLC
Liz @ MCN

Jeevan said...

Well captured the temple! wonderful

January Zelene said...

great photos..thanks for sharing

Visiting from MYM
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Rajesh said...

Thank you all for appreciating this ancient temple.

Leah H. said...

Amazing temple, so huge!!!

Visiting for MYM! Here's my share- hope you can stop by:)

http://www.heavenly-dreams.com/7366-blog-photo-challenge-enfamil-infant-formula/

Hootin Anni said...

This is awe inspiring!!

STAR OF INDIA

L. Neusiedler said...

an impressive country! I have a friend who recently returned from a trip there and she is speechless at the beauty she saw!

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Until I started visiting your blog, I never realised there were so many temples in India!

A SHADOW THE SIZE OF THE SUN

If I had a shadow the size of the sun,
I’m not sure how fast I’d be able to run,
Or if I could flee from its ravenous jaws,
While keeping away from its razor-sharp claws!


© 2012 by Magical Mystical Teacher


Shadows here and there

2sweetnsaxy said...

Great shots. The architecture in the temples is amazing.

Costin Comba said...

Looks incredible.Greetings from Romania. Have a nice week.

Rajesh said...

Thank you all for appreciating this ancient temple.

Jayashree Srivatsan said...

Hi

My aunt lives in Chidambaram and have been to this wonderful temple...Its huge and beautiful...Btw, did they tell you the Chidambara Secret?(Ragasiyam in Tamizh) :)

Arti said...

Very beautiful and colorful, the sculptures are marvelous!

Akshay Kumar G said...

Stunning visuals. :)

Unknown said...

Amazing place I would love to visit.

Panchali said...

Very beautiful images, Rajesh !! I have never been there...I would like to visit this place now :))
Thanks!

TTT said...

marvelous structure ! and lovely shot

Ranjana's craft blog said...

Very beautiful pics....I had visited this place...the photos reminded me that lovely trip

magiceye said...

exquisite work!