Govindaraja Perumal Temple or Thiruchitrakoodam in Chidambaram in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu,is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu .The temple is inside the premises of Thillai Nataraja Temple ,constructed in the Tamil architecture . The temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divya desam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Govindaraja and his consort Lakshmi as Pundarikavalli.
The Govindaraja Perumal temple is located in Chidambaram, Tamil nadu. The temple is one of the 108 Divya desams dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu. The temple is built in the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple is also a major shrine to the Hindu God Shiva. The temple has been renovated many a times by the Cholas, Vijayanagras, Cheras and the Pallava royals in the ancient and medieval periods. There are 6 daily rituals and two major annual festivals held at the temple.The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Govindaraja Perumal temple Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam Temple of Lord Vishnu
According to legends, the mountain Chitrakoodamalai in North India was the place where Lord Rama once had been. When Lord Rama was sent along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman to exile, he found a place in South India that reminded him of the mountain in the north. He named that place Chitrakoodam and stayed there during his exile. That is how Chitrakoodam got its name.
According to legend, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati once decided to have a dance duel. Lord Shiva asked Lord Brahma to judge their duel at thiruvaalankaadu. Unable to make a decision about the winner, Lord Brahma asked them to seek Lord Vishnu’s help. Lord Vishnu asked them to duel in Chitrakoodam. When Lord Shiva started dancing, his earring fell off. Lord Vishnu felt that now Lord Shiva would lose and was about to declare Goddess Parvati as the winner. However, Lord Shiva picked up the earring and put it back on with his feet and continued dancing. This greatly impressed Lord Vishnu and Goddess Parvati. Goddess Parvati conceded defeat and Lord Vishnu declared Lord Shiva as the winner.
Miracle Based: The temple ranks among the 108 Divyadesas of Lord Perumal. Lord Brahmma with His four faces generally appears in a sitting posture on the naval chord of Lord Vishnu, here He appears standing. Of the Panch Bhooda Sthalas ? Space-Akash, Fire, wind, water and prithvi the earth ? this place belongs to Akash. Lord Perumal is facing Akash.
The Vimana above the sanctum sanctorum is called Sadvika Vimana. Procession deity Devadhi Devan is in a sitting posture with Mothers. Another procession deity in a standing posture is with presiding Lord near His feet. Lord Govindaraja is in a separate temple with His flag post in the temple known as Chitra Sabha. Standing in the front mandap, the devotee can have the joint darshan of Lord Nataraja, Lord Govindaraja and Lord Brahmma on his the naval chord simultaneously. This Shiva-Vishnu-Brahmma darshan is available for the devotees in this temple only. People pray here to be fair on their part in their endeavours. Devotees perform Tirumanjanam to Lord and offer vastras.
Contact: Archagar (Chakravarthy – 9566931905)
