Historical, scientific and philosophical prominence of Chidambaram





Notable Points

  • This temple is located at the Center Point of world ‘s Magnetic Equator. Spot of Nataraja in this temple may be considered the centre of cosmic consciousness
  • Chidambaram derives from "Chit" i.e. Consiciuousness + Ambaram i.e. (Cosmos)
  • Chidambaram used to capital city of chola dynasty
  • The temple was constructed during the 10th Century
  • The temple has five main Halls or Sabhas namely the Kanaka Sabha, the Cit Sabha, Nritta Sabha, Deva Sabha and Raja Sabha
  • Among the “Pancha bootha” temples, Chidambaram denotes the Aakasa. Kalahasthi denotes Vaayu. Kanchi Ekambareswar denotes Bhoomi. All these 3 temples are located in a straight line at 79 degrees 41 minutes Longitude
  • Chidambaram temple is based on the Human having 9 Entrances denoting 9 Entrances or Openings of the body, 21600 gold sheets on roof denotes 21600 breaths taken per day, 72000 gold nails denotes naadis
  • Mandapam (Poonambalam) in the temple slightly titled towards left indicating heart, one has to climb 5 steps representing "Si, Va, Ya, Na, Ma". it does have 28 pillars representing 28 ways of workship. 64 beams representing 64 arts and cross beams indicating blood vessels
  • 9 kalasa on the top represent 9 sakthi swaroopa. 
  • 6 pillars in artha mandapa represent 6 sastras. The 18 pillars in the adjacant Mantapa represents 18 Puranams
  • Nataraja Represents Cosmic dance 


Philosophical and Scientific significance of Nataraja

Every representation of god in hinduism has a very deep philosophical and scientific meaning. In the same lines Nataraja form does indicate larger theory in the scientific world i.e. cosmic change.  it represents constant cosmic change that universe undergoes at all times.

World largest particle physics lab at CERN has Siva's Nataraj statue indicates the significance it holds in particle physics.


  • The Dance of Shiva symbolises the basis of all existence. Things in the world are not constant, but illusory and ever-changing.  
  • According to quantum physics, Dance of creation/destruction is the basis for the existence of matter. Subatomic particles constantly does the dance of creation/destruction producing energy. This pulsating state is the very basis of existence. 

Words from prominent scientists

  • In the words of Carl Sagan (popular scientist) "Hindu religion is the only one of the world’s great faiths dedicated to the idea that the cosmos itself undergoes an immense, indeed an infinite number of deaths and rebirths. It is the only religion in which the time scales correspond, no doubt, by accident, to those of modern scientific cosmology. Its cycles run from our ordinary day and night to a day and night of Brahma 8.64 billion years long. Longer than the age of the Earth or the Sun and about half of the time since the Big Bang. And there are much longer time scales still." 
  • In the words of Fritjo capra "Hundreds of years ago, Indian artists created visual images of dancing Shivas in a beautiful series of bronzes. In our time, physicists have used the most advanced technology to portray the patterns of the cosmic dance. The metaphor of the cosmic dance thus unifies ancient mythology, religious art and modern physics."


Symbolic Representation of nataraja

Dance exists in five forms (Panchakritya)  covering five stages of cosmic cycle  of life i.e.

'Srishti'  - creation, evolution. The Nataraja’s rear left arm carries the hourglass-shaped drum, damuru, the vibrations of which create the universe. Some conflate this with the Big Bang of cosmic creation


'Sthiti'  - preservation, support : The open palm of the forehand indicates an assurance: There is nothing to fear about constant cosmic overhaul; change is normal and I’m here to protect you


'Samhara'  - destruction, evolution : The raised, rear right-hand carries the fire that atrophies matter to a formless state, only for regeneration. In that sense, it is the fire of transformation, not destruction. It implies constant change


'Tirobhava' - illusion : The hidden lower-left palm pointing downwards says he’s the creator of maya, illusion or the veil of ignorance.


'Anugraha' - release, emancipation, grace : The raised left foot, combined with the closed hand, signifies the option available before the seeker: moksha or liberation from ignorance and, by implication, from the cycle of birth and death




References


1.https://bigthink.com/philip-perry/7-things-you-need-to-know-about-carl-sagans-cosmos
2. https://qz.com/india/1759244/a-brief-history-of-nataraja-the-dancing-hindu-god-shiva/
3. https://cuddalore.nic.in/tourist-place/chidamabaram/#:~:text=The%20temple%20was%20constructed%20during,expansion%20throughout%20the%202nd%20millennium.
4. https://scroll.in/article/947584/nataraja-how-the-dancing-avatar-of-shiva-made-its-way-from-rock-sculptures-to-modern-physics




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