Significance of Chidambaram Temple, TN

Raja Gopuram

We all know about Chidambaram Mandir which denotes Sky from 5 elements – Fire, Water, Sky, Air and Earth, which is situated in Tamil Nadu, India. Here we will know about significance which is lesser known facts about Chidambaram Mandir:

The layout and architecture of the mandir is replete with philosophical meanings.

The 9 gateways signify the 9 orifices in the human body.
The Ponnambalam, the sanctum sanctorum represents the heart which is reached by a flight of 5 stairs called the Panchaatchara padi – pancha meaning 5, achhara – indestructible syllables – “SI VA YA NA MA“, from a raised anterior dias – the Kanakasabai.
The access to the Sabha is through the sides of the stage (not from the front as in most mandirs). The Sanctum sanctorum is held by 28 pillars – representing the 28 agamas or set of methodologies for the worship of Bhagwan Shiva.
The roof is held by a set of 64 beams representing the 64 forms of art & is held by several cross-beams representing the innumerable blood vessels. The roof has been laid by 21600 golden tiles with the word SI VA YA NA MA inscribed on them representing 21600 breaths.
The golden tiles are fixed using 72000 golden nails which represents the number of nadis exists in human body. The roof is topped by a set of 9 Kalasas, representing the 9 forms of energy. (refer Umapathy Sivam’s Kunchitaangristhavam)
Sabha Mandapam
This mandir is located at the Center Point of world ‘s Magnetic Equator.
Among the “Pancha bootha” mandirs, Chidambaram denotes the Skies. Kalahasthi denotes Wind. Kanchi Ekambareswar denotes land. All these 3 mandirs are located in a straight line at 79 degrees 41 minutes Longitude. This can be verified. An amazing fact & astronomical miracle !
The dance of Bhagwan Nataraja is described as Cosmic Dance by Western Scientists.
Shiva-Nataraja-at-CERN

Bhagwan Nataraja statue placed at the entrance of CERN (European Organization
for Nuclear Research Organization ) in Geneva, Switzerland.