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:

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

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

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

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

    Sylvia

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

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  6. I like your pictures,
    Mormor Norway

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

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

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

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  10. 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 :)

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  11. Beautiful tiered sculptures and a lovely reflection shot.

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  12. An incredible temple, nice shots.

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  13. Beautiful photos!

    Skywatch, have a nice weekend!

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

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  15. 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.

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  16. This is so wonderful.

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

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  18. Love the sculptures! Happy sky watching.

    Skywatch

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  19. Anonymous12:00

    Lovely temple with lovely reflections!

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  20. Beautiful temple.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

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  21. Beautiful temple,beautiful reflections.

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

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

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  24. Anonymous22:16

    The temple is impressive.

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

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  26. What an impressive temple and architecture! Fabulous photos!

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

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  28. Awesome shots!

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  29. totally amazing architecture and photographs too

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

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  31. Awesome shots.

    Shadow Shot at my page. Have a blessed Sunday!

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  32. Beautiful images of a wonderful cluster of magnificent temples.

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  33. Beautiful pics of Chidambaram temple. Exquisite architecture & sculptures.

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  34. Beautiful captures. Have a fabulous week.

    Liz @ MLC
    Liz @ MCN

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  35. Well captured the temple! wonderful

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  36. Thank you all for appreciating this ancient temple.

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  37. 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/

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

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  39. 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

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  40. Great shots. The architecture in the temples is amazing.

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

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  42. Thank you all for appreciating this ancient temple.

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  43. 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) :)

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  44. Very beautiful and colorful, the sculptures are marvelous!

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  45. Stunning visuals. :)

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  46. Amazing place I would love to visit.

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

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  48. marvelous structure ! and lovely shot

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

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