Temple Visits of Parantharami Mani

 Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, South Arcot district. It is a more than 1000 year old temple where the lord of dance Nataraja is the presiding deity with his consort Sivagama  Sundari. The temple has also in its premises Govindaraja Perumal Sannadhi one of the 108 Divyadesam sung in his hymns by Kulasekara Alwar. The temple has four lofty towers and was extensively renovated during the reign of Kulothunga Chola II (1133-1150). The king liked Chidambaram very much that he had his coronation here and lived a major part of his life here. He was also a hard core Saivite and could not digest the presence of Vaishnavite Shrine inside the premises. He removed the statue of Govindarajan Perumal  in Sayana Kolam and thrown it into the sea. The Perumal has to wait for another 400 years till Krishnappa Nayak of Thanjavur Nayak dynasty restored the Perumal inside the sanctum in 16th century. The Golden roof of Nataraja Sannidhi was laid by Parantaka Chola in 10th century.  A grand Chola era Temple.