40. Thiru Chithrakoodam – Sri Govindaraja Perumal Temple, Chidambaram
About the Temple & Location:
This temple is in Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu. Drop in at Chidambaram Railway station in the Chennai to Trichy main line. Ample bus facilities are there. Staying arrangements are well furnished.
Sthala Puranam:
As Lord Narayana poses as Nilathingal Thundan perumal having inside the Ekambareswarar temple premises in Kanchipuram, here at Chidambaram one of the very big Shiva temple he poses as Govindarajan near Lord Nataraja Sannadhi.
The Mountain “Chitra Kooda Malai” was in North India near the Prayagai. In this very place only Lord Rama Stayed while he was sent to the forest and left his pregnant wife Sita Devi.
While he came searching for his wife who was taken away by Ravana, Lord Rama found this place in South India and compared it’s beauty to Chitra Kooda in North India. Thus it got its name.
As this place largely represents Sri Rama, Kulasekhara Alwar considers Govinda rajan as Sri Kalyana Rama and composed all his 11 Paasurams posing Govindarajan as Sri Rama only.
Thirumangai alwar found Govindarajan to be still like a portrait or picture enchanting himself in the stunning dance of Lord Nataraja here at Ponnambalam – Chidambaram. So among the 32 Paasurams he composed, the first 10 are of the (“Shankarabharanam Ragam”) “Raga: Sankarabharanam” the favourite raga of Lord Shiva.
It’s been said that the 3000 Brahmins of Thinai, Panini, Patanjali and Vyakrapadha Maharishi had the vision of Lord Shiva’s dance along with Lord Govindaraja and got both the lords blessings.
As Parashakti (wife of Lord Shiva) danced with Lord Shiva transforming her as Thillai kali, this place is known as Thillai Nagar.
Pundarikakshan means Vishnu, so his wife is called Pundarika valli and the Pushkarani pundarika Pushkarani.
As the perumal Govindarajan lays still and soft relishing the dance the Vimanam is called “Sathi Vega Vimanam” where Satvikam literally means soft nature. Moolavar has Sangu and Chakram in his hands. He’s attended by his wives Periya Piratti, Bhoomi piratti and Neela devi at his feet. The celestial persons ie devas surround him. And he is in the sleeping posture.
It’s been said that while repairing the Nataraja temple, Anabaya cholan also known as Second Kulothunga ordered his men to remove Govindaraja idol and throw it into the sea.
Late the great social reformer Acharya Ramanuja took great effort in finding Govindaraja under the sea and found him and replaced him in his original place.
During the life time of Alwars, Govindaraja Poojas was done by the thillai Brahmins ie Shaivites only. But during 1539 A.D, king Krishnadevaraya’s brother Aachudharayar employed Bhattacharya's (Priests following Vaishnavam) and made them to render pooja’s under the Vaikhanasa Agamam (One type of rites and rituals).
Though there are lots of difference of Opinions between the Shaivites and Vaishnavites dating back from the period of Alwars, at least let us unite together to stop these meaningless fights and accept the unity between the lords.
Specials:
1. The main speciality of this temple is that this Perumal has his sannathi in the premises of the Lord Shiva’s temple itself. That too near the Natarajar sannathi itself.
Moolavar:
The Moolavar of this Divyadesam is Sri Govindarajan. He is giving his seva Kindantha (Sleeping) Thirukkolam in Bhoga Sayanam facing his thirumugham towards west direction. Pratyaksham for Thillai Moovayiravar, Panini, Padhanjali and Vyakpathra Maharishi.
Thayaar:
The Thayaar found in this sthalam is Pundaregavalli. She has a separate sannadhi in this temple.
Utsavar:
1. Devadhidevan. Also known as Parthasarathy. He is in the sitting posture.
2. Chitira Koodhathullan with two wives.
3. Sri Rama in his Vanavasa Kolam (ie poses as in his forest surroundings).
Festival
10 day Chithirai Vasanth Utsav in April-May and Gajendra Moksha are the festivals celebrated in the temple. Festivals are Vasantha Utsavam: Aadi Pooram, Panguni Uthiram, Chitra Pournami, Jestaabhishekam.What's more, were honored with Lord came to be called Govinda Rajan East confronting Bhoga Sayanam Goddess Devaathi Devan, Paarthasarathy, Chitrakoodathullan.
Significance
Positions among the 108 Divyadesas of Lord Perumal. Ruler Brahmma with His four confronts for the most part shows up in a sitting stance on the maritime harmony of Lord Vishnu, here He seems standing. Of the Panch Bhooda Sthalas Space-Akash, Fire, wind, water and prithvi the earth this spot has a place with Akash. Master Perumal is confronting Akash. positions among the 108 Divyadesas of Lord Perumal. Master Brahmma with His four confronts for the most part shows up in a sitting stance on the maritime harmony of Lord Vishnu, here He seems standing. Of the Panch Bhooda Sthalas Space-Akash, Fire, wind, water and prithvi the earth this spot has a place with Akash. Ruler Perumal is confront.
Mangalasasanam:
Thirumangaialwar – 32 Paasurams
Kulasekara Alwar – 11 Paasurams.
Total – 43 Paasurams.
Pushkarani:
Pundarega Pushkarani.
Vimanam:
Saathvega Vimaanam
Prasad & Offering
People pray here to be fair on their part in their endeavours.
Devotees perform Thirumanjanam to Lord and offer vastras.
