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 Chidambaram, variedly known as Ponnambalam, Thillai, Kanagasabai etc., is one of the rich treasure houses that remind us of the heights that civil engineering had reached in the days of yore in our country. This is especially so, when one sees that the temple whose structures occupy a sprawling 39 acres, the large halls, the tall towers, gateways, water tanks et al are built of stones, rocks hewn from hills. The feat becomes quite awe-inspiring when one realises that the temple is built on alluvial plain enriched by two rivers and where there is not even a trace of mountains for a circumference of about 50 Kms from where the temple is situated.
 One can easily visualise the kind of planning, labour and co-ordination that would have gone into the simple process of bringing stones from elsewhere when the modes of transport as we know them now were non-existent.
All that we know of the antiquity of the temple is from the inscriptions that Parantaka Chola I (907 to 953 AD). Authorities on the history of architecture are of the opinion that the central temple belong to the 10th century AD while the Parvati temple and the enclosures are estimated to have been constructed somewhere around the 14th century AD.
 Chidambaram is around 200 km. away from Chennai, on the banks of Coleroon, 28
km. from Cuddalore and is the headquarters of South Arcot District. It is one of the five Shiva temples of the South dedicated to the five elements. The Lingam of Kancheepuram temple is known as the Prithivi or the earth; at Jambukesvara the Lingam is worshipped as Appu or the water Lingam; at Thiruvannamalai it is known as Theyu or Thejas meaning fire; the Vayu or the wind Lingam is to be seen at Kalahasthi. At Chidambaram, the Lingam is called Akasa or the sky - but that it cannot be seen by these mortal eyes is that which makes it unique.
 The idol of Lord Shiva in his dancing form - Nataraja - is installed and is worshipped in the main temple. The sanctum sanctorum is known as the Chitsabha, which is a wooden structure supported by wooden pillars and has a roof of unusual shape. The images of Nataraja and Sivakami are installed in the Chitsabha. A set of two veils are behind the idols, the outer one - that can be seen by all - black in colour while the inner veil - that cannot usually be seen - is red in
colour.
And on the right side of Shiva is the most famed
‘Chidambara rahasyam’. It is the Akasa lingam or the empty space, representing Him in one of the five elements, the emptiness garlanded by golden Vilva leaves. The Divine Couple are there in their ‘formless form’.
The Chitsabha has other famed idols like the Ratnasabhapati (or the dancing Lord in ruby), the Spatika Lingam of Chandramauleeswara, Swarnakarshana
Bhairavar, Mukhalingam, etc.
 The Lord is believed to have danced in ecstasy in the Chitsabha, in the presence of sage
Vyagrapadha, or the sage with ‘tiger’s feet’. The Damaru or the drum of Shiva is the originator of the sounds of alphabet. Tamil and Sanskrit are believed to have born of the drum. The swift-footed deer that He holds in his hand represents the human mind. The skin of tiger that the Lord is attired with represents Ahankara - or ego - that He killed. The river Ganges flowing out of his matted hair represents Chit Sakthi - wisdom - and the Crescent Moon that He wears is representative of the blissfulness of the Soul.
 The dance of Shiva has been discussed by scholars like Dr. A. K. Coomaraswamy, who says, “The essential significance of Shiva’s dance is three-fold: first it is a symbol of his rhythmic play as the source of all movements within the cosmos, which is represented by the Arch or Tiruvasi; the second purpose of the dance is to release the countless souls of men from the snare of illusion; thirdly the place of the dance - Chidambaram, the centre of the Universe - is within the heart.”
There are two annual Brahmotsavams at Chidambaram, the most important one occurring in the month of Margazhi (December 15 to January 15), concluding on the full moon day corresponding to the Arudra Darsanam. This is a ten-day festival in Chidambaram. The second Brahmotsavam falls in the month of Aani and ends with Aani Thirumanjanam on the tenth day.
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