Divya Desam 40 Sri Govindaraja Perumal Temple (Thiruchitrakoodam) - Divya Desam — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

As Lord Narayana poses as Nila Thingal Thundan perumal having inside the Ekambareswar temple premises in Kanchipuram, here at Chidambaram one of the very big Shiva temple he poses as Govindarajan near Lord Natarajar Sannadhi.

The Mountain "Chitra Kooda Malai" was in North India near the Prayagai. In this very place only Lord Rama Stayed while he was sent to the forest and left his pregnent wife Sitadevi.

While he came searching for his wife who was taken away by Ravana, Lord Rama found this place in South India and compared it's beauty to Chitra Kooda in North India. Thus it got its name.

As this place largely represents Sri Rama, Kulashekara Alwar considers Govinda rajan as Sri Kalyana Rama and composed all his 11 Paasurams posing Govindarajan as Sri Rama only.

Thirumangai alwar found Govindarajan to be still like a portrait or picture enchanting himself in the stunning dance of Lord Nataraja here at Ponnambalam - Chidambaram. So among the 32 Paasurams he composed, the first 10 are of the ("Shankarabaranam Ragam") "Raga: Shankarabaranam" the favourite raga of Lord Shiva.

It's been said that the 3000 Brahmins of Thinai, Paanini, Padanjali and Vyakrapadha Maharishi had the vision of Lord Shiva's dance along with Lord Govindaraja and got both the lords blessings.

As Parashakti (wife of Lord Shiva) danced with Lord Shiva transforming her as Thillai kaali, this place is known as Thillai Nagar.

Pundarekatchan means Vishnu, so his wife is called Pundaregavalli and the Pushkarani pundarega Pushkarani.

As the perumal Govindarajan lays still and soft releishing the dance the Vimaanam is called "Sathivega Vimaanam" where Sathvigam literally means soft nature. Moolavar has Sangu and Chakaram in his hands. He's attended by his wives Periya Piratti, Bhoomi piratti and Neela devi at his feet. The celestial persons ie devas surround him. And he is in the sleeping posture.

It's been said that while reparing the Nataraja temple, Aanapaya chozan also known as Second Kulothunga ordered his men to remove Govindaraja's idol and throw it into the sea.

Late the great social reformer Aacharya Ramanuja took great effort in finding Govindaraja under the sea and found him and replaced him in his original place.

During the life time of Alwars, Govindaraja's Poojas was done by the thillai Brahmains ie Shaivities only. But during 1539 A.D, king Krishnadevaraya's brother Aachudharayar employed Bhatacharyas (Priests following Vaishnavam) and made them to render pooja's under the Vyganasa Aagamam (One type of rites and rituals).

Though there are lots of difference of Opinions between the Shaivities and Vaishnavities dating back from the period of Alwars, atleast let us unite together to stop these meaningless fights and accept the unity...

We had the opportunity to visit this temple almost a decade back. We travelled to Cuddalore by bus from Chennai and our friend picked us up here and took us to his house in Chidambaram. It was afternoon when we reached the temple gates and we thought of having darsan but the temple had just closed so we decided to come in the evening.The priests at the temple had knots in the middle of their heads unlike the tufts seen at the back.We had to cross the houses of the residents and saw really young women in nine yard sarees wearing nose studs on both sides and we were struck by their natural beauty. They seemed to belong to another age altogether unsullied by modern influences. There was a kind of purity visible and while staring at them a group of gypsies surrounded us and we somehow managed to get into the car. We returned in the evening after lunch and rest. As we entered the mighty gopuram and entered Govindaraja Perumal sanctum we saw Govindaraja Perumal in reclining posture on a seven hooded Seshan with Sridevi and Bhudevi at His Feet.Perumal faces east looking at Nataraja. Perumal judged the celestial dance of Shiva and Parvati and declared Shiva as the winner The vimanam is called Satvika vimanam and has five kalasams representing the five elements.The sanctum houses utsavar murthis in standing and seated postures.Devadirajan with Consorts, Sri Rama , Selvar ,Santhanagopala and Andal.There is separate sannidhi for Thayar who is known as Pundarakeevalli.There are sannidhis for Narasimha, Gajendra Varadar on Garuda and sannidhis for azhwars and Sudarsana Panchajanyam.Really impressive temple . As we headed out we found stalls selling huge kai-murukkus, adhirasam etc. our heads full of this...

Visited the Chidambaram Natarajar Temple in the evening and were fortunate to witness the Spatika Linga pooja, which happens only at select times — truly a divine experience. The temple is massive, with gopurams (towers) over 130 feet tall, featuring stunning carvings that showcase ancient Tamil architecture.

The main deity, Lord Nataraja, is worshipped in a unique form — performing the cosmic dance. This is one of the few temples where Shiva is worshipped in a human-like form, not as a lingam. We also felt blessed to have darshan of Govindaraja Perumal (Vishnu), who is seen in a reclining posture inside the same complex — symbolizing the unity of Shaivism and Vaishnavism.

We also got to witness the famous Chidambara Rahasyam (the divine secret), symbolized by an empty space behind the curtain in the sanctum — representing formless Shiva (Akasha Lingam).

Vehicle parking was done on the roadside, but still, we were charged ₹50. Despite that, the temple experience was peaceful and spiritually fulfilling. A must-visit historic temple for both devotees and...