Temple boards

Podhu Dikshitars – Sri Sabhanayagar (Nataraja) Temple, Chidambaram

Organisation · Chidambaram, Cuddalore district

Chidambaram's Thillai Nataraja temple is one of the few major Tamil Nadu temples not run by the HR&CE Department. The Dikshitars are recognised as a religious denomination. On 6 January 2014 the Supreme Court set aside a 2009 Madras High Court order that had let the state appoint an Executive Officer, and returned administration to the Dikshitars. The state government has since sought accounts and has received complaints from devotees, including in 2022. Day-to-day worship, darshan and festivals are still run by the Dikshitars.

How it is run

The Podhu Dikshitars run the temple. They are a hereditary community of priests: every married Dikshitar becomes both a trustee and a priest of the temple. The HR&CE Department does not appoint an Executive Officer here.

Tips for pilgrims

• HR&CE online booking does not cover this temple. Arrange sevas and abhishekam directly with the Dikshitars at the temple.
• The two big festivals, Aani Thirumanjanam (June–July) and Arudra Darshan (December–January), draw very large crowds. Plan your stay early.
• Pay only at the temple's official counters and ask for a receipt for any paid darshan or puja.

Temples it runs

• Sri Sabhanayagar (Thillai Nataraja) Temple – Chidambaram, Cuddalore district