175. CHIDAMBARAM

ANANDHEESWARAR TEMPLE

This temple is situated in Chidambaram.

Shiva: Anandheeswarar

Amman: Sowndharyanayaki

Theertham: Pathanjali Theertham

Speciality:

This temple was worshipped by Sage Pathanjali.

Sage Pathanjali is one of the 18 Sidhdhars and considered to be the Avatar of Aadhiseshan.

The temple was later developed by Many kings. 

Anandheeswarar faces east and Amman faces south.

In the eastern Prahara of the Anandheeswarar temple we can find the Idol of Sage Patanjali.

The Star of Patanjali is Poosam. Special Abhishekam is performed to Sage Patanjali on poosam days.

During the Thirumanjanam in the Month of Margazhi Sage Patanjali is taken in procession along with Natarajar.

This temple relieves Nagadhoshas and gives development in education.

History:

Once Lord Vishnu was very happy. As Vishnu was lying on Aadhiseshan he could feel the delight of Mahavishnu and the weight of Mahavishnu increased. Aadhi Seshan asked Vishnu the reason for his happiness. Mahavishnu told him that he thought of the dance of Shiva as Natrajar. This made him happy and his weight increased. Aadhi Seshan told him that he too wanted to have the Dharshan of Natarajas dance. Vishnu told him to tell Shiva about his desire. Aadhi Seshan told Lord Shiva about his wish. Lord Shiva told him that his wish would be fulfilled at the right time. One day Aadhi Seshan contracted himself into a small baby and fell on the lap of Anusuya who was Sage Athri's wife. Anusuya was shoched and stood up with fear and the little snake fell on her feet. Sage Athri told her to accept the Snake as her son and this was the order of lord Shiva. Since the Snake fell on the feet of Anusuya they named him as Pathanjali (Patham means feet and Anjali means surrender). Aadhiseshan, now Patanjali, assumed a human form on the upper part of the body and the form of a snake in the lower part of the body (halfman half snake). Patanjali grew into a youth. He came to Chidambaram an stayed here. He installed a Linga in the place where is stayed. His another name was Anandhan. Therefore Shiva which he installed is called Anandheeswarar. Patanjali performed penance here towards Lord Shiva to get his wish of viewing the dance of Shiva as Nataraja fulfilled. Lord Shiva appeared before him and told him to come to the Chidambaram big temple.He also told him the Sage Vyakrapadhar was also performing penance in Chidambaram for the same reason. Both Patanjali and Vyakrapadhar met each other and went to the big temple together as instructed by lord Shiva. They had the pleasure of viewing the dance in the temple.They wished to stay with Natarajar always. Lord Shiva accepted their wish and we can find Patajali and Vyakrapadhar beside Nataraja in the Natarajar Sannidhi in many temples. In Chidambaram in the Mulavar Thirumulanadhar Sannidhi we find the idols of Patanjali and Vyakrapadhar in the place of Vinayaka and Muruga normally found in other temples just outside the main Shrine.