What is happening in Chidambaram Temple ?

Bharat has a unique cultural religious status where our religion Hindus or Sanatana Dharma is based on science. We may proudly claim that, we are the only country which unites modern day sciences with religion. One of the greatest gifts of our culture is Lord Natraj’s idol, world renowned scientists say, that the shape of the idol represents the movement of atoms in the cosmos. May that be the reason why, we gift almost every foreign delegate who visit our country with one of those idols.

The origin of Lord Natraj is here, in Tamilnadu a place called Chidambaram. It’s considered to be the first Sabha of Lord Shiva where his Thandav took place. In Chidambaram Lord shiva is worshipped in the form of Natraj and his consort Parvati is worshipped in the form of Shivakama Sundari (Who won over Shiva’s heart).

The temple is very ancient and was developed by the Great King Rajaraja Chola. For the Puja and other rituals, he brought Dhikshitars from somewhere and made them settle in Chidambaram and handed over the rights of the temple to them. They are brahmins found exclusively in Chidambaram only. Since that day, Dhikthitars are taking care of the temple performing all pujas and other rituals for all these years. If the tale had ended here it would have very nice. But unfortunately, it didn’t end here.

In 1954, Tamilnadu government tried to make Chidambaram Temple come under the HR and CE. But some how it was not proceeded. Some years back, an executive officer was appointed by the Tamilnadu government to take care of the temple. The Dikshitars protested, but no use. They went to the court for 3 or four years. Initially, they were not heard. But in the year 2014, Supreme Court of India gave a verdict that, temple administration should be with the Dikshitars only. The appointment of EO is just for a short period of time.

All priests gave a sigh of relief, unfortunately that was short lived. After the DMK government started ruling in TN, the misery of the Dikshitars began. In front of the temple the Nastiks would organize a protest saying “Don’t Go! This is not a temple!”. But Shiva’s grace was on the Bhakts, so they thrived on. Not only that, Nastiks accused the Dikshitars for discriminating among people. They said that, a particular caste people are not allowed inside the temple. But this is a total utter lie. Any Hindu can enter even inside the Sanctum Sanctorum. Only other religious people are not allowed.

The most pathetic part is that, the Dikshitars are accused of child marriages. Before going further, I would like you to know the background history of the temple and its admin. Thousands of years ago King Rajaraja Chola gave them the temple and the surrounding lands in exchange for Sangam Tamil Holy verses on Lord Shiva. Some of them date back to 2nd century BC. According to the copper plate given by Rajaraja Chola, The Dikshitars cannot own anything as the entire property belongs to Lord Natraj, but they can claim a right once they are married.

Here comes the real problem. The boys have to claim the right before they Janou function is held. That means before the age of 7 or 9. For claiming they have to be married. So, now a days, Dikshitars perform the engagement at a very early age like 5 or 6, and perform the marriage later when the girl becomes 18 years of age. No one had any problem util, motivated by local politicians a human rights NGO accused the Dikshitars of violating human rights and making the girl endure sex at a very early age. The Dikshitars denied the accusation stating that, the marriage will not be consummated util the age of 18. But the NGO persisted.

Police got involved in this, and the girls from the Dhikshitars community had to undergo virginity test. Is it not a human right violation? Small girls of the age 6 or 7 undergoing the virginity test is the cruellest thing that could happen to any girl. The Dhikshitars were humiliated beyond their limit. The results told that, the girls are still virgins, so there might be some truth in Dikshitar’s statement. But no media covered this.

I spoke to one of the Dikshitars. He said that, they don’t have any support except for Lord Natraj Himself. “We were the first temple to hoist our national flag in a temple on August 15. From 1947 to till date, we are hoisting our Tiranga on January 30th and August 15th. This practice you cannot see anywhere else. We are very proud that, we belong to Bharat. But now a days, many people are opting out of this Dikshitar clan, because it does not pay much and also, we have to undergo humiliation. Before there were 3000 families here, in Chidambaram, but now only around 250 are here.

Each year the number decreases, and I am afraid that, there will not any Dikshitar left to take care of the temple”

This is not a simple problem as it poses to be. Why the government wanted to take over the Chidambaram temple? Why they installed a Daan petti even before they started Puja? If they gain the administration of the temple, they can enjoy the riches without any hindrance, the amount going to Ved Path shala could be diverted to them, because that will be closed down. The appointment of EO, and other people is very gainful for them because they would make money in every appointment. All the festivals could be stopped and the money goes to their pocket. Is this any way of treating an ancient temple?

Even today, in front of the Chidambaram temple main entrance, Nastik people shout some vulgar things about Natraj and the Puranas associated with the temple. Is this possible in front of any church or mosque? Why in Baharat Nastik means only denying Hindu Gods and Goddesses? This is selective atheism. This is more dangerous than real atheism. The Dikshitars don’t want money or riches. All they want is to leave them peacefully to perform their Pujas and rituals. Don’t they deserve that? The origin or Lord Natraj and his devotees need undergo this type torture?

Please as a follower of Sanatana Dharma, let us make this issue a headline and give the Dikshitars their long pending justice and peace of mind.

Article by



Srija Venkatesh

Columnist - Writers For The Nation
Tamilnadu, Bharat