The Mystical Secrets of Chidambaram Temple: Beyond Human Perception

Many ancient temples across the world are believed to hold profound secrets and spiritual truths, waiting to be uncovered by those with the wisdom to perceive them. One such temple, Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu, India, is shrouded in mystery and mystery as it has been for centuries. Here, we delve into the hidden secrets and spiritual dimensions that make Chidambaram Temple a unique and sacred place.

Ancient Meridians and Secret Longitudes

Long before the Greenwich meridian usurped global significance, the world’s ancient cultures aligned their calendars and mystic practices with the old meridian that passed through Ujjaini in ancient India. This alignment is often cited among the five elements that the universe is composed of: Akash (Sky), Jal (Water), Prithvi (Earth), Agni (Fire), and Vayu (Air).

The Chidambaram Temple, located at a longitude of approximately 79.6935° E, has been a focal point of spiritual and mystical significance. Interestingly, this location is roughly aligned with other famous Shiva shrines like Kedarnath (79.0669°E), Rameshwaram (79.3129°E), and Chidambaram (79.6935°E).

The Dance of the Divine: Chidambaram Nataraj

Chidambaram Nataraj temple is a renowned Shiva temple that stands as a testament to the divine dance of Lord Shiva, symbolized as Nataraja. According to legend, when Lord Shiva performed a dance, one of His ankle bracelets was broken and disappeared into the sky, marking a significant connection between the divine and the celestial sphere.

The Nataraja in Chidambaram Temple is believed to touch the magnetic equator, a phenomenon that has fascinated scholars and mystics alike. The magnetic equator, which passes through India, is not static and its shifting nature adds to the mystique of the temple's location.

A Temple of the Human Body

Chidambaram Temple is as much a physical manifestation of the human physiology as it is a spiritual one. The temple has nine entrances, symbolizing the nine orifices and body openings of the human being. Moreover, the 21,600 gold sheets that cover the temple's roof mirror the 21,600 breaths a human takes in a day, according to traditional beliefs.

The Chidambaram Nataraj is believed to embody both the fierce and blissful aspects of Shiva's dance. This duality of Shiva's cosmic dance is a profound symbol of balance and transformation, central to Hindu mysticism.

Symbolism in the Temple Architectures

The temple's architecture is rich with symbolic significance. The five steps connecting Kanaka Sabha and Chitta Sabha represent the five elements of the universe and the five elements of the panchakshari mantra. The five courtyards encircling the central shrine symbolize the different layers of the human body and its consciousness: material body, life force, soul, intellect, and divine bliss.

In the innermost layer, hidden behind a curtain symbolizing Maya, is the Chidambara Rahasya, where Lord Shiva is worshipped in His formless aspect. This sacred space, adorned with golden Bilva leaves, represents wisdom emerging from ignorance, guiding devotees towards divine knowledge and bliss.

Chidambaram: A Seat of Learning and Wisdom

Besides its spiritual dimensions, Chidambaram has been a hub of learning and wisdom in ancient times. Its name suggests an ancient center of learning and the arts, inviting seekers of knowledge and enlightenment. The temple, built during the Chola dynasty in the 10th century, stands as a legacy of this rich tradition.

Significantly, the presence of CERN's 2-meter tall statue of Nataraja in their lab, dedicated to the 'cosmic dance' of the universe, symbolizes the ongoing quest to understand the profound mysteries of the cosmos.

While the secrets of Chidambaram Temple may forever remain a mystery to the uninitiated, the space and its symbolism continue to inspire and deepen the spiritual journey of those who seek to understand the divine within.