Know about Sabha temples- The dance temples of Lord Shiva

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New Delhi: Sabha temples are temples where Shiva is believed to perform five different style of dances.Lord Shiva is considered as one of the three most influential denominations in Hinduism.

How the persona of Shiva converged as a composite deity is not well documented though some historians believe that the figure of Shiva as we know him today was built up over time, with the ideas of many regional sects being amalgamated into a single figure.

Sailen Debnath traces the origin of Shiva to the pre-Aryan period, and believes that he played an important role in the Indus Valley Civilization. Here is the list of Sabha temples:

1. Pon  Sabha-  Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram:

The temple is known as the foremost of all temples (Kovil) to Saivites and has influenced worship, architecture, sculpture and performance art for over two millennium.The temple is referred to in all devotional literature as Bhooloka kailasam, or kailasam, the Lord Shiva’s abode that manifests on earth. 

The temple as it stands now is mainly of the 12th and 13th centuries, with later additions in similar style.Its bronze statues and stone sculptures depicting various deities and the famous Thillai trees of the surrounding forest reflect the highpoints of early Chola and Pallava art.

2. Velli Sabha-  Meenakshi Amman Temple:

Located in the southern bank of river Vaigai in the temple city of Madurai,This temple is dedicated to Parvati who is known as Meenakshi and her consort, Shiva, named here as Sundareswarar. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500 year old city of Madurai. 

The complex houses 14 gateway towers called gopurams, ranging from 45-50m in height. The temple is a significant symbol for the Tamil people, and has been mentioned since antiquity in Tamil literature, though the present structure is built during 1623 to 1655 CE. it was in the list of top 30 nominees of the “New Seven Wonders of the World”.

3. Tamira Sabha- Nellaiappar Temple:

Located at the heart of Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. this is one of the largest temples in South India. Siva is said to have been worshipped by Agastya in a bamboo grove and by Rama after having killed Mareecha some nine miles away at Manoor. 



There is also a shrine to Vishnu near the sanctum, signifying the belief that Nellai Govindan (Vishnu) visited Tirunelveli to officiate the divine marriage of Shiva and Kantimathi. 

4. Rathna Sabha- Thiruvalankadu Vadaaranyeswarar Temple

It is located within two hours drive from Chennai, and within an hours drive from Kanchipuram. 

The five dance halls are Chidambaram, Madurai, Tiruvalankadu, Tirunelveli and Kutralam. This is the 15th of the 32 Tevara Stalams in the Tondai region of South India.

Shiva is said to have defeated Kali in a fierce dance duel by lifting his foot up on the Oordhvatandavam posture. Kali is depicted in a dance posture as well here. 

Karaikkal Ammayar is said to have walked on hear head to this shrine and her image is seen in the shriine to Oordhvatandavamurthy. There is yet another image of Nataraja, housed within the sanctum of Vadaranyeswarar.  

courtesy of indiatvnews