The following divyadesams lie within a Saivite temple:
1. Nilaththingal Thundattan is a small sannidhi within the precincts of Ekambareshwarar temple in Kanchi
2. Kalvanoor is within the Kanchi Kamakshi temple
3. Chitrakoodam lies within the Chidambaram Nataraja temple (though it is a full fledged temple with separate dwajastambam and multiple sannidhis within)
I am curious whether this was the case when the Azhwars worshipped. The story of Chidambaram Govindaraja temple is well known. So it is unlikely it was within the precincts of Nataraja temple. It is widely beleived it was a separate temple before Kulothunga (I or II) destroyed it during 12th/13rd century. Later in 15/16th century it was built by the Vijayanagara empire.
Thiruchitrakootam was the name for the DD of what is now called Chidambara Natarajar sannidhi. The shaivaite nature of the temple was expanded during the rise of shaivas(from north and Karnataka) who were then extremely needles in-violence towards Vaishnavas and other schools of thoughts.
ReplyDeleteRamanujacharya instrumentally changed the mass yolk of population from un-shastrik ways of life towards shastric ways of life. This was the first ego the shaivas felt. Another was loosing the argument with sources claiming that Tirumala was a Shaiva worshiping place not vaishnava, there also they got defeated. The then king who siding with the shaivas, removed the moolavar of Thiruchitrakoodam and threw it into the sea. The utsavars was kept in safety and moved to Tirupati town, and Ramanujar himself and under his guidance established Govindaraja Perumal sannidhi along with utsavars there.
So, Chidambaram was bereft of and Perumal sannidi until Madurai Nayakas ruled. Madurai Nayakas installed the present sannidhi with stiff resistance from the shaivas(particularly deekshitars) who threatened suicide via jumping from temple tower, 2-3 died but everyone then scattered away when Madurai Nayakas didnt budge and didnt care. Nayakas were strongly vaishnavites and strongly associated themselves with Nammalvar.
as an addition, please read more about valangai and idangai, the civil war due to these groups is very ancient, even during Ramanujacharya days they were cut throat against each other. All Ramanujar did was to pacify some warring groups and make them somewhat civilised from hetrodox form of worship to orthodox form of worship.
DeleteThe fight between Idangai and Valangai still continues today also, but people have no recollection as to why this hate started.