---
title: Chidambaram
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Chidambaram/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Chidambaram
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
Chidambaram (Cidambaram) is an important Chola [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) site in Tamil Nadu, southern [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/). Most of the temples at Chidambaram were built in the 12th and 13th centuries CE. The site is dominated by the huge gateway tower of the Nataraja temple but Chidambaram also boasts the first [Devi](https://www.worldhistory.org/Devi/) or Amman shrine, the first [Surya](https://www.worldhistory.org/Surya/) shrine with the distinctive stone [chariot](https://www.worldhistory.org/chariot/) wheels which would adorn many subsequent temples, and the first large Siva [Ganga](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ganges/) tank. In this respect Chidambaram is something of a transitional site, linking elements of the old and new styles of Indian temple [architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/).
The name Chidambaram, one of several from antiquity, derives from the Tamil *Cirrambalam*, meaning 'little hall'. The site was chosen because according to [mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/mythology/) it was the precise spot where the [Hindu](https://www.worldhistory.org/hinduism/) [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Shiva](https://www.worldhistory.org/shiva/) had once danced in a grove of tillai trees. The dance was, in fact, a competition between Shiva and Parvati and naturally the great Shiva won. The story became a popular subject in Hindu art over the centuries.
The site is enclosed within four perimeter walls and covers a rectangular area of 55 acres. Within the compound are shrines, halls, temples, ornamental gateways, and a large ritual bathing pool, known as a Siva Ganga tank, which is surrounded by cloisters. Inscriptions claim the site was built by various Pandya kings and local rulers but none are contemporary with the dates the buildings were actually first constructed. The walls and east *gopura* (gateway) may be ascribed with greater certainty, and were probably built by Kulottunga III, who reigned from 1178 to 1218 CE.
The Nataraja temple was constructed between c. 1175 and c. 1200 CE. The actual temple shrine is relatively modest as by now in Indian architecture the *gopuras* had become the most important structures, at least in terms of aesthetics. The twin sacred chamber was, however, adorned with [copper](https://www.worldhistory.org/copper/) sheets covered in [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/) by successive Chola kings. The shrine is preceded by a dance hall and large entrance porch with columns (*mandapa*).
The massive granite and brick east *gopura* dominates the site but there are three other *gopuras* on the north, south and west sides (the earliest). The corbelled roofs diminish as the structures rise and are finally topped with the usual barrel-vaulted roof (*sala*), the eastern gopura also having a row of 13 decorative finials. The east *gopura* has a proper interior floor at each of its nine levels and there is an interior staircase which climbs to the very top of the building. All four *gopuras* have false windows on their facades, typical for this kind of structure, and pairs of pilaster columns set at regular intervals. The second floor of each *gopura* also has a passageway which worshippers ritually walked around. The entrance archways all have coffered ceilings decorated with relief panels.
[  Dancer, East Gopura, Chidambaram Jean-Pierre Dalbera (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3997/dancer-east-gopura-chidambaram/ "Dancer, East Gopura, Chidambaram")Of particular note at Chidambaram are the thousands of sculptures adorning its buildings. In particular there are many statues of [women](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/women/) in a wide variety of dance postures. Many statues are accompanied by quotations from Hindu [literature](https://www.worldhistory.org/literature/) which provide an invaluable reference for scholars. There are also figures of the four *dvarapalas* (guardian demons), the *dikpalas* (cardinal directions), many figures of Shiva performing heroic deeds, various other deities such as [Vishnu](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vishnu/), Devi, [Sarasvati](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sarasvati/), and, unusually in southern architecture, river goddesses.
Finally, Chidambaram is also famous for its 17th century CE Nayaka ceiling paintings which decorate the Shivakamasundari shrine of the Nataraja Temple. More than 40 panels depict scenes from the life of the saint Manikkavachakar, a devotee of Shiva.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Harle, J.C. *The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent, Second Edition.* Yale University Press, 1994.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0300062176/)
- [Michell, G. *Hindu Art and Architecture.* Thames & Hudson, 2000.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500203377/)
- [Mitter, P. *Indian Art.* Oxford University Press, 2001.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0192842218/)
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Timeline
- **c. 1150 CE - c. 1200 CE**: The Nataraja [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) is built at [Chidambaram](https://www.worldhistory.org/Chidambaram/).
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2015, August 21). Chidambaram. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Chidambaram." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 21, 2015. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Chidambaram." *World History Encyclopedia*, 21 Aug 2015, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 21 August 2015. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.