Lord Shiva Famous Temple Chidambaram Temple

Chidambaram is one among the five holiest Shiva Temples, each representing one of the five natural elements; Chidambaram represents akasha (ether). The other four temples in this category are the Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara,Trichy (water), Kanchi Ekambareswara (earth) Kanchipuram, Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara (fire),Thiruvannamalai and Kalahasti Nathar (wind),Kalahasti. Chidambaram temple is one of the most ancient and most celebrated of shrines in India. It has been of great religious as well as historic and cultural significance. Chidambaram temple is mainly associated with Nataraja, or Shiva in his Ananda Tandava pose (the Cosmic Dance of bliss) in the cosmic golden hall and the hall of consciousness (Chit Sabha). At the temple there is a stone image of Krishnadevaraya in the North Gopura which is said to have been erected by him. In the wars of the 18th century, this great temple was used as a fort, especially when the British General Sir Eyre Coote unsuccesfully tried to capture it from the Mysore Kings. During this period, the images of Nataraja and Sivakamasundari were housed in the Tiruvarur Tyagaraja temple for safety. Legends associated with this temple are Aadi Sesha, the serpent (couch) of Vishnu, heard from Vishnu the grandeur of Shiva's cosmic dance. Filled with irrepressable desire to witness this dance in person at Chidambaram, the Seshan descended to the earth as Patanjali (the one who descended). Vyagrapaadar who is another devotee of Shiva prayed to obtain the tiger's claws so that he could obtain with ease the sacred Vilva leaves meant for Shiva's worship at Chidambaram. At the appointed hour, Shiva (with Sivakami) granted to Patanjali and Vyagrapaadar, a visual treat in the form of his Cosmic Dance of Bliss, to the accompaniments of music played by several divine personalities in the Hindu pantheon. This Dance of Bliss is said to have been witnessed by Vishnu, and there is a Govindaraja shrine in the Natarajar temple commemorating this. The dance of bliss of Shiva, is also said to have been enacted upon Shiva's (Bhikshatana) victory over the married ascetics of Daruka Vanam.


Lord Shiva 108 Names

Lord Shiva With Mata Parvati

Lord Shiva Beautiful Wallpapers Gallery

Lord Shiva Latest Wallpapers Gallery Part I

Lord Shiva Panch Akshar Stotras

Om Namo Narayana,

Om Vande Shambum umapathim sura gurum vande jagatkaranam,

Vande pannaga bhooshanam mrugadharam, vande pasoonaam pathim

Vande surya sasanka vahni nayanam, vande mukunda priyam,

Vande bhaktha janasrayam cha varadam, Vande shivam sankaram.

I salute the great God Shambhu, Who is the consort of Uma, (whose consort is Uma), Who is the teacher of devas, I salute the cause of this universe, I salute who wears snake as ornament, Who caries a deer in his hand, (who wears the hide of a deer) I salute the Lord of all beings, I salute him who has sun, moon and fire as eyes, I salute him who is dear to Mukunda, I salute him who is the refuge of his devotees, Who is the one who gives them great status, (boons) And I salute Shiva and Shankara.

Nagendra Haaraaya Thrilochanaaya

Bhasmaanga Raagaaya Maheshvaraaya

Nityaaya Suddhaaya Digambaraaya

Tasmai Nakaaraaya Namah Shivaaya

I offer my humble salutations to Lord Mahesvara - who has a garland of serpents around the neck; who has three eyes; whose body is covered with ash (vibhuti); who is eternal; who is pure; who has the entire sky as His dress and who is embodies as the first letter Na.

Mandaakini Salila Chandana Chaarthitaaya

Nandeesvara Pramatha Naatha Mahesvaraaya

Mandaara Pushpa Vahu Pushpa Supoojitaaya

Tasmai Makaaraaya Namah Shivaaya

I bow to Lord Mahesvara, who is embodied as Makaara (letter Ma), whose body is anointed with holy waters from the river Ganges and sandal paste, who is the sovereign king of the Pramatha (victor of Pramatha) Ganas and who is adorned with innumerable divine flowers such as Mandaara.

Shivaaya Gauri Vadana Aravinda

Sooryaaya Dakshaadhvara Naashakaaya

Sree Neelakantaaya Vrisha Dhvajaaya

Tasmai Shikaaraaya Namah Shivaaya

I offer my salutations to Lord Shiva, who is the resplendent sun for mother Gauri`s lotus face, who is the destroyer of Daksha`s sacrificial ritual, who is the blue necked Lord (due to the Haalahala poison which He agreed to consume), whose banner bears the emblem of a bull (who rides a bull) and who is embodied as the letter Shi.

Vasishta Kumbhodbhava Gautamaaya

Muneendra Devaarchita Sekharaaya

Chandraarka Vaishvaanara Lochanaaya

Tasmai Vakaaraaya Namah Shivaaya

I prostrate before the God of Gods, who is worshipped and prayed to by great sages such as Vashishta, Agastya and Gautama, whose eyes are sun, moon and the fire and who is embodied as Vakaara (letter Va).

Yajna (Yaksha) Swaroopaaya Jataadharaaya

Pinaaka Hasthaaya Sanaatanaaya

Divyaaya Devaaya Digambaraaya

Tasmai Yakaraaya Namah Shivaaya

Prostrartions to the sacred Lord who is the Yaksa incarnate, whose hairs are long and matted, who holds Pinaaka (trident) in His hand, who has the entire sky as His attire and who is embodied as the letter Ya.

Panchaaksharam Idam Punyam

Yah Pateh Shiva Sannidhau

Shivaloka Mavaapnothee

Shivena Saha Modate

Lord Shiva Famous Temples

Lord Shiva With Mata Parvati

Lord SHiva Beautiful Wallpapers Gallery