Circuits

Pancha Sabhai

The five halls of Nataraja's cosmic dance

Five temples in Tamil Nadu where Shiva as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance, is said to have performed his cosmic dance – each named after the material of its hall (sabhai).

Nataraja's dance (the Ananda Tandava) represents creation, preservation, destruction, concealment and grace. Tamil Shaiva tradition locates the dance in five halls: gold at Chidambaram, silver at Madurai, copper at Tirunelveli, gems at Thiruvalangadu and pictures at Courtallam.

Chidambaram's golden hall is the most important – for Shaivas the word 'koyil' (the temple) on its own means Chidambaram.

The temples

1. Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
2. Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple
3. Nellaiappar Temple
4. Vadaaranyeswarar Temple
5. Kutralanathar Temple