The sculpture of Chidambaram Temple (Tamil Nadu) mirrors an assimilation of different styles of architecture. Commissioned by the Pallava king Swetavarman this Shaiva temple complex covers an area of 40 acres. The architectural grandeur of this temple is popular worldwide. One of the key features of this temple is that both Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities have been enshrined here. Thus the presiding deities here are Lord Shiva Nataraja and Lord Govindaraja Perumal.

One of the major features of the architecture and sculpture of Chidambaram Temple is the bejeweled Nataraja idol. In fact Chidambaram Temple in Tamil Nadu is one of the rare temples where Shiva has been represented by an idol instead of a linga. The well sculpted figure of the lord depicts him in a dancing pose, known as the cosmic dance.

Lord Shiva is worshipped in several forms here. These forms are the anthromorphological form as an idol of Lord Nataraja, called the Sakala thirumeni; the semi-anthropomorphological form as the Crystal linga of Chandramouleswarar, called the Sakala nishkala thirumeni and as the formless in Chidambara Rahasyam. In the last form the lord is worshipped in an empty space within the inner chamber and is known as the Nishkala thirumeni.

The architecture of Chidambaram temple does not adhere to a single school. The architectural elements here reflect an influence of different styles. Amongst the many impressive attributes the first thing that catches one`s attention are the four lofty gopurams. These have been constructed in the four cardinal directions: East, West, North and South. Each gopuram rises to a height of 250 feet and are seven tiered. The oldest one amongst these is the Western gopuram. Either side of the gateway towers has been adorned with sculpted figures. Here one will come across the carved images of 108 Bharatnatyam dance poses and characters from Hindu mythology. These figures have been used to embellish the first tiers. On the second tier of the gopurams Lord Shiva has been sculpted in several forms: Bhikshatana, Kankala, Kalyanasundarar, Somaskandar and others. An interesting feature of the sculpture of Chidambaram temple gopurams is that the main figure of Lord Nataraja is missing. Usually a representation of the main deity is found on the towers of the South Indian temples.

Another interesting feature associated with the temple towers is that the gopurams were built by different rulers. While the South gopuram was commissioned by a Pandya King, ten North one was built by the Vijayanagara King Krishnadevarayar. In fact the south goupuram was redone by the Pallava King Koperunsingan. The East gopuram was constructed under the surveillance of the Pallava King Koperunsingan II and the West one by Jadavarman Sundara Pandyan I. All of them came into existence in the 13th century.

Chidambaram temple comprises the usual garbhagriha, halls (sabhas) and the gateways. There are 9 well carved gateways in the Chidambaram temple. Four of these gateways have the gopurams. As far as the sabhas are concerned they are 5 in number. These consist of the Chit Sabha or the garbhagriha. The presiding deity here is Lord Nataraja and his consort, Goddess Shivagamasundari. The Chit Sabha is considered the most sacred one. It has been built out of wood and the pillars that support its ceilings are also carved out of wood. Along with this the Golden Hall is also been built on a raised platform. The Kanaka Sabha or the Golden Hall has a flight of five stairs that symbolize the five alphabets of Panchakshara Mantram. It is here that the daily rituals are conducted. Both the halls have silver panelled doors.

One of the architectural features of the halls in Chidambaram temple is the well carved pillars. The finest examples of such pillars are found in the Nritya Sabha. The Nritya Sabha or Natya Sabha is in the form of a chariot drawn by horses. According to legends this is the place where Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali have danced with each other. Raja Sabha is the thousand pillared hall that stands for the Sahasraram (a yogic chakra at the top of the head and a seta where the soul unites with God). This particular chakra is represented with the help of thousand petalled lotus. The last one is the Deva Sabha where the Pancha murtis (five sculpted deities) are found. The five images are that of Lord Ganeha, Lord Somaskanda, His consort Sivananda Nayaki, Lord Muruga and Chandikeswarar, principle devotee of the lord.

There are several sub shrines within the temple complex dedicated to several Hindu deities. These shrines have been adorned with sculptures around them. Both foliage sculptures and carved figurines are popular motifs in the architecture of Chidambaram temple. The famous Sivaganga tank is also situated within this temple complex. Other water bodies, such as, wells are also common around the temple. The entire temple plan is full of philosophical meanings.

The architecture and sculpture of Chidambaram Temple is one of the splendid instances of Tamil Nadu temple sculpture.