Context:
Article in The Hindu on ancient temples in Tamil Nadu that turned into a stage for Lord Shiva on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.
Five Sabhas of Lord Shiva:
- Known as – Pancha Sabhas
- Pancha sabhas – 5 Shiva shrines which are the arenas of Nataraja, the Cosmic Dancer
- Located in – Tamil Nadu
- 5 Sabhas – Kanaka Sabha, Chithira Sabha, Rathna Sabha, Rajitha Sabha and Thamira Sabha
| Sabha | Location | Nataraja Style | Other names |
| Kanaka Sabha (Hall of Gold) | Chidambaram Temple, Tamil Nadu | Ananda Thandavam | Ponnambalam, Pon Manidram and Por Sabha |
| Chithira Sabha (Hall of Paintings): | Kutralanatha temple, Tamil Nadu | Tripura Thandavam | Chithira Ambalam and Chithira Mandram |
| Rathna Sabha (Hall of Gems) | Vataranyeshwarar temple, Tamil Nadu | Urdhva Thandavam | Ratna Ambalam and Mani Mandram |
| Rajitha Sabha (Hall of Silver) | Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai | Sandhya Thandavam | Velliyambalam and VelliManram |
| Thamira Sabha (Hall of Copper) | Nellaiappar Temple in Thirunelveli | Thiru Thandavam |
Other groupings of Shiva temple:
- Padal Petra Sthalams – Temples wherein Shiva has been praised in the Tamil verses of the Nayanmars or the important Shiva devotees
- Pancha Bhuta Sthalam – 5 Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh associated with the 5 elements
Maha Shivratri:
- Maha Shivratri – Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of Lord Shiva
- Celebrated widely in – India and Nepal
- Observed on – Chaturdashi Tithi (fourteenth day) of Krishna Paksha in the lunar month of Phalgun as per the Hindu calendar Drik Panchang.
- This period marks the transition from winter to spring and summer
- Mythological History –
- One of the most popular stories is that Maha Shivratri marks the day when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati
- It is also believed that Maha Shivratri is the night when Lord Shiva performs the heavenly dance of creation, preservation, and destruction (Tandava)
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made the earliest?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2015 Prelims]
(a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar
(b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
(c) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram
(d) Varaha Image at Udayagiri
Answer: (b)
