"The Chidambaram temple is dedicated to Nataraja, dancing Shiva. It is also one of the five important places of pilgrimage that represents one of the five elements. Chidambaram represents space. This is why when we enter the inner temple for darshan we can see that to the right of the image of Nataraja in the sanctum is a circular arch under which there is no image but from which hangs a string of golden vilva leaves which represents Shiva as akasha, or the element of air or ether... According to the Puranas, this temple is where Lord Shiva exhibited his cosmic (Paramanantha, very joyful) dance to many demigods and sages thousands of years ago. After the dance, the sages Patanjali and Vyagrapada requested him to accept worship and exhibit his dance forever in this place for the good of his devotees. Thus, Shiva granted their request for the benefit of the world. Though the present temple was built in the 10th century C.E., the history of this place dates back much further."
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Original Language: English
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Sources
Knapp Stephen, Spiritual India Handbook (2011)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Chidambaram
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Chidambaram
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