Chidambaram – a Panchabhoota sthalam is the only temple where Lord Shiva is represented by an anthropomorphic idol rather than Lingam. Lord Shiva is worshipped in His formless form. This ancient temple has the practice of hoisting our national flag at the 152-height pole of Eastern Gopuram since the time Bharat got independence.
On the day of Independence, every year, the national flag is kept for puja rituals at the feet of Lord Shiva and then taken to the eastern side of the temple with grand mela thalam (drum beats) and thus flag is hoisted with much national fervor.
National anthem was sung and sweets were distributed.
There is another event that speaks of patriotism of the Chidambaram Nataraja temple. During the war with China in 1962, Indian Government were raising funds for the Army. At that time, the administration of Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram sent a large quantity of gold and silver to Reserve Bank. Later when the war stopped, gold was returned to the temple.
