Known more famously for the Dancing Nataraja. The shrine for Govindaraja faces east and is close to the chitsabha of sri Nataraja which is facing south. The peculiar feature of this temple is though ancient there is a separate tower, Bali peetam, dwajasthambam and Garuda shrine facing the Lord, and a separate Thayar shrine with a separate management of its own with its own rituals in such close proximity to the sanctum sanctorum of Shiva. the only record is of a 6th century Pallava King Simhavarman as having worshipped the original deity in thillai Forest. The sabha where the dance took place and all other mantapas are very impressive and have a stately sublimity. there are in all five sabhas the Nritta sabha is the most spectacular and this is where siva entered into a dance competition with the goddesses. In fact the four tall temple gopurams are a majestic sight for miles around. it is a well planned temple with geometrical symmetry.
Lord Govindaraja the Moolavar is a massive and majestic figure reclining on Adisesha with figures of Brahma, Sridevi and Bhoodevi by his side. Seen in Boga sayana pose facing east. the Utsavar known as Parthasarathy and also Devadi devan in a sitting position with chaturbhujam his right hand is raised in gnana mudra for upadesa the Ubhaya Nachiyars are also seen by his side.
the stories connected to this temple are to be found in Bavishyotra puranam told by Vyasa Maharishi to Jaimini rishi.
The story goes that Kanva Rishi on performing penance god appeared and asked him to go to Pundarikapuram where the divine architect had built a town in the form of a lotus on behest of Brahma. God appeared seated on Garuda before Kanava Rishi who asked of god four boons. 1st that god should stay there and bless all the people visiting chitrakuttam. 2nd that even if any one just thought of Thllai Thiruchitrakutam should be blessed with the four purushartas dharma, artha, kama and moksha. people ending their lives when at this place should receive moksha and that he permanently should be granted moksha to stay with the perumal. all his wishes were granted. the Lord decided to stay on in Archa avtara. Brahma asked Visvakarma as well as theasura architect Mayanan to construct the Chitrakutam. accordingly a beautiful temple was built the pancha bothams became the five kalasas on the top of the sanctum sanctorum, the four vedas became the four gopurams, the 36 smruthi sutras became the 36 entrances in the temple, the thousand names of god became the thousand pillared mantapam, the Astakshara became the eight steps leading to the sanctum. as the temple was completed the devas praised the perumal the divine dundubhi was heard, a varitable rain of flowers was noticed and in the midst of all this God laid down inthe ratna sabhai on pranava peetam under the satvika vimana.
The dance of Shiva and Parvathy.
Lord Vishnu was seated on the throne in the Ratnasabai. shiva was also present and started to dance. hearing the tinkling noise of the dancing bells, Parvathy also came rushing. Perumal laid down the rules for the contest. he said the dance should conform to the rules prescribed in the Bharata sastra and that each should repeat whatever was the dance mudra performed by the other. if any of them failed to repeat the mudra he/ she would have to accept defeat. the one who lost would have to go and stay outside the city of Thiru Chitra kutam. the contenders both shiva and Parvati agreed to these terms. the tandavam started. People were admiring the divine dance which lasted for seven days. Ambikas dance was becoming more refined and beautiful. Shiva realising that he was being defeated by his wife pleaded with Perumal with a facial expression. Perumal taking pity on siva gave him a clue by raising one leg which of course siva immediately incorporated in the dance which was no longer graceful for Parvati to compete with, Siva was declared the winner. He continues to stay there as Nataraja and continues to serve God. Parvathi's abode is in the northern part of the town and is known as Thillai Kali.
Lots of other interesting stories are also connected with this temple which are very interesting.
Lord Govindaraja the Moolavar is a massive and majestic figure reclining on Adisesha with figures of Brahma, Sridevi and Bhoodevi by his side. Seen in Boga sayana pose facing east. the Utsavar known as Parthasarathy and also Devadi devan in a sitting position with chaturbhujam his right hand is raised in gnana mudra for upadesa the Ubhaya Nachiyars are also seen by his side.
the stories connected to this temple are to be found in Bavishyotra puranam told by Vyasa Maharishi to Jaimini rishi.
The story goes that Kanva Rishi on performing penance god appeared and asked him to go to Pundarikapuram where the divine architect had built a town in the form of a lotus on behest of Brahma. God appeared seated on Garuda before Kanava Rishi who asked of god four boons. 1st that god should stay there and bless all the people visiting chitrakuttam. 2nd that even if any one just thought of Thllai Thiruchitrakutam should be blessed with the four purushartas dharma, artha, kama and moksha. people ending their lives when at this place should receive moksha and that he permanently should be granted moksha to stay with the perumal. all his wishes were granted. the Lord decided to stay on in Archa avtara. Brahma asked Visvakarma as well as theasura architect Mayanan to construct the Chitrakutam. accordingly a beautiful temple was built the pancha bothams became the five kalasas on the top of the sanctum sanctorum, the four vedas became the four gopurams, the 36 smruthi sutras became the 36 entrances in the temple, the thousand names of god became the thousand pillared mantapam, the Astakshara became the eight steps leading to the sanctum. as the temple was completed the devas praised the perumal the divine dundubhi was heard, a varitable rain of flowers was noticed and in the midst of all this God laid down inthe ratna sabhai on pranava peetam under the satvika vimana.
The dance of Shiva and Parvathy.
Lord Vishnu was seated on the throne in the Ratnasabai. shiva was also present and started to dance. hearing the tinkling noise of the dancing bells, Parvathy also came rushing. Perumal laid down the rules for the contest. he said the dance should conform to the rules prescribed in the Bharata sastra and that each should repeat whatever was the dance mudra performed by the other. if any of them failed to repeat the mudra he/ she would have to accept defeat. the one who lost would have to go and stay outside the city of Thiru Chitra kutam. the contenders both shiva and Parvati agreed to these terms. the tandavam started. People were admiring the divine dance which lasted for seven days. Ambikas dance was becoming more refined and beautiful. Shiva realising that he was being defeated by his wife pleaded with Perumal with a facial expression. Perumal taking pity on siva gave him a clue by raising one leg which of course siva immediately incorporated in the dance which was no longer graceful for Parvati to compete with, Siva was declared the winner. He continues to stay there as Nataraja and continues to serve God. Parvathi's abode is in the northern part of the town and is known as Thillai Kali.
Lots of other interesting stories are also connected with this temple which are very interesting.
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