This is a Hindu temple dedicated to Nataraja, the dancing form of Lord Shiva. It is located in the town of Chidambaram in the Cuddalore district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is one of the five Pancha Bootha Sthalams, representing the element of space. The 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”.