Natyanjali Festival: Chidambaram Nataraja Temple Dance Festival

4to40.com February 24, 2025 Indian Festivals 4,219 Views

Natyanjali Dance Festival: The ancient Nataraja temple of Chidambaram pays special tribute to Lord Nataraja – the dancing Shiva. The temple has carved pillars depicting Lord Nataraja in 108 poses of Bharatanatyam classical dance in the eastern tower. The Natyanjali festival dedicated to Lord Shiva is celebrated every year for five days in the temple premises. It begins on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri. During this time leading dancers from all parts of India congregate and dance in the temple as an offering to Nataraja. Natyanjali festival is jointly organised by The Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and The Natyanjali Trust, Chidambaram. It is designed to promote a universal message of ‘Unity in Diversity’ conveyed in the universal language of music and dance.

Natyanjali Dance Festival

The Natyanjali festival dedicated to the Cosmic Dancer (Lord Shiva) is celebrated every year during February-March. Lord Nataraja, according to Hindu mythology is the cosmic dancer. He is also called “The Lord of Dances”.

Natyanjali Festival: Chidambaram Nataraja Temple Dance Festival

Natyanjali festival opens on the auspicious occasion of the Maha Shivaratri day and of course in the right kind of venue – the ‘Prakara’ of the Chidambaram temple. The magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, built a thousand years ago, provides a beautiful backdrop for the event. The setting is truly divine-Chidambaram’s gold-roofed temple, with pillars depicting Lord Nataraja in 108 poses from Bharatanatyam – Tamil Nadu’s classical dance.

Natyanjali is an annual dance festival commemorating Hindu deity Shiva. It originated around 1981, and started off as a relatively obscure event. It is currently organized by collaborative efforts of the Department of Tourism of Tamil Nadu and the Natyanjali Trust. Although celebrations are most prominent at its original venue, the 12th-century Chidambaram temple, they also occur in a wider spectrum across Tamil Nadu and Murugan temples. Mumbai also organize their own versions of the festival under the same banner. The current version lasts around 13 days, and various classical dance forms of all styles offer their art up to the god Nataraja. Senior gurus have been performing on Shivaratri night year after year.

Natyanjali Dance Festival: Dates and Duration

Dates: February 26 – March 02, 2025
Venue: Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, Tamil Nadu

The festival takes place at the historic Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, also known as Thillai Nataraja Temple. This temple is one of the five holiest Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu, representing Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer.

Highlights of Natyanjali Festival:

Classical Dance Performances

The festival showcases a breathtaking lineup of performances in various Indian classical dance forms, including:

Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu)
Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh)
Odissi (Odisha)
Kathak (North India)
Mohiniyattam (Kerala)
Manipuri (Manipur)
Pung Cholam (Manipur)

Each performance is deeply devotional, representing stories from Hindu mythology and ancient scriptures, and is accompanied by live Carnatic and Hindustani classical music.

The festival takes place at the historic Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, also known as Thillai Nataraja Temple.

Dance as Devotion:

Unlike other dance festivals, Natyanjali is purely spiritual. Dancers perform not for applause or competition but as a sacred offering to Lord Nataraja, celebrating bhakti (devotion) through movement, rhythm, and expression.

Presence of Renowned Artists:

The festival attracts India’s most accomplished classical dancers along with young and emerging artists, creating a platform for both seasoned performers and aspiring dancers.

Temple Atmosphere and Spiritual Energy:

The vibrant atmosphere of the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple adds to the festival’s divine ambiance, with devotional chanting, temple rituals, and classical music filling the air. The golden roof and ancient pillars of the temple enhance the grandeur of the performances.

Workshops and Interactive Sessions:

The festival also includes:

Workshops on Indian classical dance techniques

Lecture demonstrations on the evolution of Natya (dance) in Hindu traditions

Discussions on the role of dance in spiritual upliftment

These sessions provide a deeper understanding of the connection between dance, devotion, and Indian heritage.

Chidambaram Nataraja Temple: This temple is located in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. This temple has ancient roots and a Shiva shrine existed at the site when the town was known as Thillai. Chidambaram, the name of the city literally means “stage of consciousness”. The temple architecture symbolizes the connection between the arts and spirituality, creative activity and the divine. The temple wall carvings display all the 108 karanas and these postures form a foundation of Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance derived from Sathirattam. The present temple was built in the 10th century when Chidambaram was the capital of the Chola dynasty.

How to Reach the Nataraja Temple

The festival takes place in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, which is well-connected by air, rail, and road.

By Air:The nearest airport is Puducherry Airport (66 km away). The second closest airport is Tiruchirappalli International Airport (170 km away).

By Train: Chidambaram Railway Station is well-connected to major cities like Chennai, Madurai, Thanjavur, and Trichy.

By Road: Chidambaram is accessible via state-run buses and private taxis from Chennai, Pondicherry, and other nearby cities.

Once in Chidambaram, auto-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available for local travel.

Contact Details:

The Natyanjali Trust can be reached via

Call: +91-98949 55196, +91-94432 42732, +91-4144-222732

Email: natyanjalichidambaram[at]gmail.com

Why You Should Attend Natyanjali Festival?

Witness India’s Rich Classical Dance Heritage

Experience the Spiritual Power of Devotional Dance

See Acclaimed Dancers Perform at an Iconic Temple

Immerse in the Architectural Beauty of Chidambaram Nataraja Temple

Explore Tamil Nadu’s Cultural and Artistic Legacy

The Natyanjali Dance Festival is not just a cultural event, but a spiritual journey that blends devotion, art, and heritage into an extraordinary celebration. Whether you are a dance enthusiast, spiritual traveler, or cultural lover, this festival is a must-visit experience.