chidambaram temple

We set out from Maylathdurai by hiring a cab for a round trip beginning with Vaitheswaran Koil which is one of the navagrahas, the weather which was calm started showing its true colours. When we reached Chidambaram, the rain gods started pouring like cats and dogs. The downpour was so immense that we witnessed water was flowing like a river in the temple complex. Without 2 separate umbrella and blessings of Lord Shiva we would have been drenched to the core.

It is quite perplexing not to have a clear cut founder of the temple. The majority of the patrons were from Pallavan, Pandyan and Vijaynagar empire. The Eastern Gopuram was constructed by by the Pallavan king Koperunsinghan II 1243 1279, the western Gopuram was constructed by Jadavarman Sundara Pandyan 1251 1268 and the Northern Gopuram was constructed by Krishnadevaraya of Vijaynagar 1509 1529.

But who is the real architect behind this huge temple ? The most probable suitor is the Parantaka Chola I ( 907 950 ) who installed the golden tiled roof on the Chitsaba Subsequent Chola kings Paranthaka II , Rajaraja Chola I, Koluthunga Chola and Vikram Chola ( 1118 1135 ) have made substantial donations for the upkeep of the temple.

The antecedents of the temple is much earlier since the temple architecture is of older version. Some historians believe that the credit of the temple construction should be bestowed on Simmavarama II 430 -458. ( Pallava Prince ) The declaration made out on the copper plates confirms that he gave up his rights and settled in Chidambaram. It is believed that he was responsible for constructing the initial edifice, which later expanded by Chola kings.

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Travel & Events

Tags:

• chidambaram
• nataraja
• temple

[sakthisunda]

Nice video coverage with good background music!