Chidambaram temple through my eyes
It was about 7:30 PM last Sunday when I entered the famous Natarajar temple in Chidambaram. Even well after dusk, the sheer layout spread of the temple was stunning. What can I say about the brilliance of the ancient hindu temple architecture! Those things are all too obvious.
But I noticed a few things there within that half an hour in the evening which made me write this post.
I have nothing to complain against the maintenance of inner prahaarams.
But what I saw in the outer prahaaram made me squirm. It’s hard to believe its part of temple premises even as I write this. But common sense suggests it is. I was made to remove my chappals before entering this portion. Is not any area within the main gopuram walls falls within the temple premises? If it is then I don’t know what to write about their present state.
I could find stray dogs and cows loitering freely. People were sitting there after their darshan amidst cow dung. Someone temple insider was riding his bicycle.
There are some corners where its really not advisable to go especially at dark as there are no proper lights in those corners. My heart sank when two old fellas were using the corners as a public toilet. What was even more shocking was that no one who saw dared question them. And this included the deekshitars who crossed by. They are responsible for maintaining and administering the temple. It all looked like its the way it has always been and there’s nothing untoward at all.
Forget aacharams and anushtanams, we don’t seem to value the heritage that we are born into. Is it not the equivalent of allowing someone to use the hall/drawing room as a toilet inside our homes? Will we ever allow that? Do these people ever realize that this temple attracts visitors from all corners of the world? What kind of an advertisement is this for our religion if we cannot even maintain one of the most famous temples in South India properly?
If this is the state of affairs in Chidambaram, I shudder to think what is in store for thousands of less patronized temples all across India. Forget communalism and vote bank politics by politicians. I think its high time the Hindu community comes together and does some constructive work to uplift and maintain their neglected temples at the very least. Until we do that, it would mean that we don’t respect and value our roots. If we don’t respect ourselves, other’s respect does not matter at all.
March 16th, 2006 at 8:30 pm
Love the Chidambaram temple and the Perumal temple inside it. Didn’t notice the mess outside, maybe I’d just gotten used to it and become indifferent, sad. What did you think of the dheekshatars there? I am afraid to say they wound me up big time.
March 16th, 2006 at 10:11 pm
WA,
the less said the better.
i wish we fellow indians were responsible in atleast one just one sphere of public life…
from traffic to religion to politics, it just reeks indiscipline and selfishness
aprom enna culture pathina perumai?
March 16th, 2006 at 11:10 pm
U should go to Brihadesswara temple in Tanjore. Especially the thosand pillar hall (Aayiram kaal mandapam). It should be called thousand pillar lovers hall as you would see a lot of teenage boys and kids engaged in various activities of “that” kind.
I went there with my wife after my marriage. While we were in awe talking about how we are standing in a place where Rajarajan once stood etc etc, we were saddened by this very sight…..
March 17th, 2006 at 12:50 am
PK,
I agree. Sad state. Outside prahaaram is not taken care of well. From what I understand, the management is pretty mediocre these days.
But I love the temple itself. Used to go there daily at one point of time. Andha kovil oda merku sannidhi la dhaan enga thaatha veedu. So, daily dharisanam panna mudinjudhu. Taking a walk at night, around the huge campus of the temple..aahaaa, enna oru peaceful experience. I miss it even now.
March 17th, 2006 at 7:21 am
karthik,
1000 lovers? azhagu dhaan.
enge poi ennatha solla?
it’s been sometime since i visted madurai meenakshiamman temple, but i shud say that is much much better maintained when i last saw than chidambaram natarajar.
March 17th, 2006 at 7:26 am
Dinesh,
the temple as such was brilliant. i could appreciate that even in the darkness. i only wish someone takes thw ownership for improving the state of affairs for our own good.
March 17th, 2006 at 12:46 pm
I think i noticed the same in another tn temple a famous one at that - cant remember which one though
or the ekambareshwarer temple in kanchi which gets worse by year
why cant ppl learn to be civic n not expect ppl to clean up behind them - its so irritating
and why use temple grounds to romance!! My dad used to scold ppl who did so - its just disgusting behaviour
March 17th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
visith,
truly a behavior we shud be ashamed of. vera enna solradhu? will all this happen if its their own residence? whats the big deal in singing the glory of our ancestors if we let all our marvels stink like this?
March 18th, 2006 at 6:35 pm
hi prabhu,
u have really brought the need of the hour, i have been to almost all over north india, where the temples are maintained in a very good manner when compared to south. i was really ashamed. it is the attitude of the people that should really improve. another disturbing factor i noticed in chidambaram temple is the highly irritating deetshidars, who jus compel the devotees to give money. they were really highly irritating and disgusting.
March 18th, 2006 at 8:46 pm
veda,
i get terribly angry abt this. unmayile namma jananga kaatu mirandiga dhaan… sandhegame illai..
March 18th, 2006 at 9:44 pm
prabu,
In the olden days brahmins (deekshitars, iyers, iyengars) were given respect for their knowledge of vedas. So the brahmins were really driven to maintain a standard. nowadays the world measures ppl by the amount of money in their bank. Respect is now driven by selvam rather than kalvi. What can the deekshitars do ? Aathila maami idichu kaanbippa. Poruthukka mudiyumoda ambi… Kaalam maariduthu. kali kaalam illaiya ?
For every famous chidambaram temple not maintained properly, there is atleast one unknown or not famous temple whose priest does keep it clean and does do all the poojas without waiting for dakshina. I think u urself pointed out one such temple in uthira merur.
March 18th, 2006 at 10:23 pm
Karthik,
It’s not my intention to defame a community. be it brahmins or deekshdars or whoever.
I totally agree that temple priests are paid a pittance.
But the remedial measures for that shud be a drive among the Hindu community (not necessarily the brahmins, but all well doing ppl in the society) to support them. i totally belive that is possible.
only that the community shud stand united and not be bogged down by casteism.
there shud also be some activism to raise the voices so that its heard by the powers that be.
adhai vittutu, idhai karanam solli aniyaayangalukku thunai poradhu onnum seriya padalai..
what is the difference between the corrupt govt official and the temple priest?
each erring person has his own reason..
March 19th, 2006 at 1:14 pm
@karthik,
as prabhu said i am not pointing out the brahmin community with bad intentios, i myself belong to it. what i meant is this kind of mentality is more in that particular temple. also the deetchidars there were not poor, i could see it.its their duty to perform pujas and aarthis and they should not expect money from all the devotees visiting the temple. ithu ennudaiya anubhavam mattum alla, ange sendru vantha pala perin anubhavamum athu thaan.
March 20th, 2006 at 4:29 am
prabu karthik and veda, never said anything about u defaming any community. I am actually happy to see fellow followers of the faith who are concerned about the faith in general.
I belong to brahmin community myself. I was just lamenting how the society’s emphasis has gone from repecting the learned to respecting the rich.
PK,to start with we should do away with hereditary placement of priests in temples. Throw open the opportunity to become priests to all Hindus. There was a precedent set by Saint Ramanujar long time ago.
March 20th, 2006 at 3:23 pm
@karthik
//Throw open the opportunity to become priests to all Hindus. There was a precedent set by Saint Ramanujar long time ago.//
karthik, this is indeed a very good thought. but it may take a long time to reach that point.when that point comes let us all support that.
March 22nd, 2006 at 1:10 pm
PK
I visited Thiruvarur last June. And much the same scene there as well. I asked one of the Archagars over there as to why the premises are not being maintained properly. He was saying “There are not enough funds to maintain the staff, what will they maintain the temple? Gone are the times when the Rajas and the rich of the area used to patronize the temples. It is no longer the case. Aasthigam is waning, less people have belief in God, even lesser are visiting temples… ” he was lamenting a lot. While the temple did not have young people doing less social stuff and people urinating, it was nevertheless in a state of mess with cow dung piles lying everywhere and beggars roaming and bothering the pilgrims. Like you say, one should really stand up and act. And when there are quite a few like minded bloggers who want to do the same thing, why not unite?
March 23rd, 2006 at 10:13 pm
RC,
sure i am prepared to do my level best in this regard. the present state of affairs is appalling
February 5th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
I cam across this blog in my search for Deekshitars.
I would like to contribute my mite in being present physically to clean up the temple through a voluntary seva. No money needed.
I wish the temple authorities could make use of such voluntary services fromlocal youth and offer a free darshan at the end of the hard labour day or a special archana once a week for these volunteers with their family. The need is to think out of box when stuck with a problem.
Wish some deekshitar could read this blog and take in suggestions
Regards!
May 24th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Guys,
Never ever say that Deekshidars are greedy for money. Does anyone know where all the money given by devotees go????????……………….Does anyone know that this is the only temple where Shiva is adored as per Vedic rites?????………How many are aware that this is the only place where Siva puja is conducted without salary????????
…………………………….The only temple other than Guruvayur where pujas are conducted all 6 kaalams without fail……………………I bet u cant find such a place anywhere on earth…………………….It is these factors which make the diety all powerful……..”Sabhapathiku veru deivam.,………………samaanamaakumaaaaa??”
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:56 am
what you have opined is perfectly true.If thevar statue is discreted then the community flares up resulting in public damage that no one questions.On the contrary hindu temples are looted and plundered.Kapaleeswarar temple is any ones guess who could have been behind it.But the heads of the community choose to remain silent.Its high time we call it the shots.