LARGE NATARAJA IDOLS

Kaashtha (काष्ठ), Daaru (दारु) Lakadi (लकड़ी), wood has many names in Indian culture which tell us about wood’s significance for the country and its tradition from the ancient times. Trees and plants such as Aama (mango), Peepal, Neem, Tulsi, and Shami are considered holy and abode of the divine element in the Hindu religion. These woods are chosen keeping in mind the rules laid down by ancient Shilpashastra and the requirement of Hindu Puja, in which the divine idol is treated regularly with Snana (ritual bathing), rubbing fragrant pastes such as Sandalwood paste and heat and light from the ritual lamp or Diya. Let us have a look at a few of these timeless woods here.

Saivagama Tantras, the ritualistic sacred texts of Sadhana or devout single-pointed worship, devised an artistic form to which all human devotion can be directed — Nataraja, the supreme dancer. The form of Nataraja has been hailed as the highest concept of art. Ancient Saivites were known to practise a dance-drama at the famous Nataraja Temple of Chidambaram. In the holy month of Margazhi (December-January) in Tamil Nadu, on the day with the asterism Tiruvadirai, the Arudra festival is especially important to Lord Nataraja in all temples, particularly Chidambaram. Among the five elements, the subtlest space whose essence is sound, is represented by the Akasa Lingam in the temple dedicated to this concept, Chidambaram. Lord Nataraja personifies the descent from the subtlest as an act of creation and also the ascent from the grossest as an act of dissolution.