Govindaraja Perumal Temple Chidambaram is a well-known Vishnu shrine which is located in the well-known Chidambaram town in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district. This is remarkable in that it is housed within the famous Thillai Nataraja Temple, which is dedicated to Shiva’s dance form. Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Lord Govindaraja, and Pundarikavalli is his consort.

Govindaraja Perumal has been extolled in the songs of the Vaishnavite Azhwar saints, and this temple is still a Divyadesam, a particularly revered Vishnu dwelling known as Thillai Thiruchitrakoodam. As this place largely represents Sri Rama, Kulashekara Alwar considers Govinda Rajan as Sri Kalyana Rama and composed all his 11 Paasurams posing Govindarajan as Sri Rama only.

Story/Legend of the Govindaraja Perumal Temple Chidambaram

The area was formerly known as Thillai or Thillaivanam, after the vast quantity of Tillai trees that can be seen here. According to mythology, Lord Govindaraja came here for the sake of sage Kanwar and the Dikshidars of the Nataraja temple.

However, there is an intriguing myth that connects this location to the Gods Shiva and Vishnu, as well as the Goddess Kali. There was once a dispute between Shiva and his consort Parvati over who was better at dancing. In Thillaivanam, a competition was organised with Vishnu as the judge.

When Shiva chose to do Urthvathandava, lifting up his earring with his foot and wearing it in the ear by raising his leg to that height, it was a fierce duel with an exceptional performance by both Shiva and Parvati. But, as a woman, Parvati was unable to accomplish this accomplishment. As a result, Vishnu, the judge, declared Shiva the winner, while Parvati, as Kali, withdrew to the other side of town, where she is worshipped as Thillai Kali. This temple is considered one of the 108 Divya Desams.

What is Divya Desams– A Divya Desam or Vaishnava Divya Desam is one of the 108 Vishnu and Lakshmi temples recorded by the Alvars, the poet-saints of the Sri Vaishnava faith. 105 of the 108 temples are in India, one is in Nepal, and the final two are thought to be in space, in Tirupparkatal and Vaikuntham. They are distributed over the Indian states of Tamil Nadu (84), Kerala (11), Andhra Pradesh (2), Gujarat (1), Uttar Pradesh (4), and Uttarakhand (3). Muktinath, Saligramam is Nepal’s sole Divya Desam. The 12 Alvars respect the Divya Desams in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of 4,000 Tamil hymns.

History of Govindaraja Perumal Temple Chidambaram

In the 12th century CE, Chola monarch Kulothunga II, an ardent Shaivite, is said to have removed the idol of Govindaraja from the shrine. Some followers rushed the festival deity to Tirupathi, where it is still worshipped in the Govindaraja Perumal temple downhill. Some think it was the saint Ramanuja who saved the processional idol from destruction. King Krishnappa Nayaka overcame opposition to reinstall the image of the primary god Govindaraja at the temple in the 16th century.

Architecture of Govindaraja Perumal Temple Chidambaram

This is an old temple built by the emperors of various kingdoms, including the Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Chera, and Vijayanagara. Lord Govindaraja is in the reclining pose known as Bhoga Sayanam, holding a conch and a discus. Brahma, who is normally seen sitting in the lotus flower that arises from Vishnu’s navel, is seen standing in the flower here.

The sanctum sanctorum, known as Chitra Sabha, is located near Lord Nataraja’s main shrine. Thus, from the hall in front of the shrine, one may see Vishnu as Govindaraja, Shiva as Nataraja, and Brahma – the Trimurthis – all at once.

Facts about Govindaraja Perumal Temple Chidambaram

• The Govindaraja Perumal Temple Chidambaram, also called Thiruchitrakoodam, is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, situated in Chidambaram, a town in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
• The Govindaraja Perumal Temple Chidambaram is located within the grounds of the Thillai Nataraja Temple, which was built in Dravidian style.
• The Govindaraja Perumal Temple Chidambaram is mentioned in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, an early mediaeval Tamil canon of Alvar saints from the sixth to ninth centuries CE.
• The Govindaraja Perumal Temple Chidambaram is classified as a Divya Desam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples mentioned in the book.
• The Govindaraja idol is believed to have been uprooted outside the temple complex during the period of Kulothunga Chola II.
• The Govindaraja idol was later found and reinstated later by King Krishnappa Nayak (1564–1572).
• Govindaraja Perumal is revered as merciful, and people pray to him for career advancement, serenity, and happiness.
• Devotees also ask him to help them be just and fair in their thoughts, acts, and transactions.
• The temple is revered in Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Kulasekara Alvar in eleven hymns and Thirumangai Alvar in thirteen hymns.
• According to legend, Govindaraja is believed to have descended upon the earth for the sage Kanvar and the 3,000 Dikshitars of the Thillai Natarajar temple.

Famous Festivals In Govindaraja Perumal Temple Chidambaram

• Brahmmotsavam is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
• Chitra Poornima is also a major occasion for celebration in the temple.
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi – Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
  
• Gajendra Moksha festivals are the prominent festivals celebrated in the temple.

How to reach Govindaraja Perumal Temple Chidambaram

Govindaraja Perumal Temple is situated in Chidambaram, a town in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

By Air: Trichy airport is about 170 kilometres from the temple and can be reached by road

By Railway: Chidambaram railway station is near the temple, a few metres away.

By Roadways: Chidambaram is a prominent pilgrim centre and is well connected within the state and also outside.

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