Why govt & priests are fighting over a 10th-century temple

Jul 24, 2023 | 10:47 IST

A controversy over control and casteism has disturbed the peace at the world-famous Chidambaram Nataraja temple in Tamil Nadu

At the 10th-century Nataraja temple in Chidambaram, 230km south of Chennai, Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance — Ananda Tandavam — is frozen in an iconic metal sculpture. The temple is also believed to hold a cosmic secret, the ‘Chidambara Ragasiyam’. But, of late, the temple has been in the news for other reasons.

An old tug-of-war between the Tamil Nadu government and the Dikshitars (Brahmin priests) over control of the temple has turned ugly since the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) formed the government in 2021.

/india

TOI

TOI

Why govt & priests are fighting over a 10th-century temple

A controversy over control and casteism has disturbed the peace at the world-famous Chidambaram Nataraja temple in Tamil Nadu

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TOI

Why govt & priests are fighting over a 10th-century temple

A controversy over control and casteism has disturbed the peace at the world-famous Chidambaram Nataraja temple in Tamil Nadu

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