§ 01Origins & Significance
Who is Sivakami (Chidambaram)
The presiding goddess of the Chidambaram Temple, consort of Nataraja. Represents the feminine aspect of the cosmic dance, the witness to Shiva's Tandava. Worshipped as the mother goddess of Chidambaram.
§ 05Names & Epithets
Names by which the divine is addressed
Śivakāmī शिवकामी
Beloved of Shiva
Chidambaram Devi चिदम्बरदेवी
Goddess of Chidambaram
Witness of the Cosmic Dance नटराजसाक्षिणी
She who witnesses the cosmic dance
§ 06Symbols & Attributes
What they hold
Cosmic danceFeminine witnessChidambaramParvati form
प
Lotus
Symbol of purity and divine grace.
मु
Crown
Adorned with a golden crown, signifying sovereignty.
स्
Golden roof
Associated with the golden roof of the Chidambaram temple.
§ 07Iconography in Depth
Form, mudras, weapons & vahana
Depicted seated beside Nataraja. Serene, graceful expression. Crowned, beautiful.
§ 09Mantras
Sacred utterances
Mūla Mantra
ॐ शिवकाम्यै नमः
Oṁ Śivakāmyai namaḥ
Salutations to Śivakāmī.
— Shaiva Siddhanta tradition
§ 12Festivals & Vrata
The year of Sivakami (Chidambaram)
Mārgaśīrṣa · Arudra Darśana
Arudra Darshan
Celebrates the cosmic dance of Nataraja; Śivakāmī is worshipped as the witness.
Āśvina · Navarātri
Navaratri
Nine nights of Devi worship; Śivakāmī is honored as the goddess of Chidambaram.
§ 13Where Worshipped
Tīrthas & major shrines
01
Chidambaram Nataraja Temple
Tamil Nadu
Primary shrine where Śivakāmī is enshrined beside Nataraja.
§ 14Scriptures
Where to read further
Tirumurai
Shaiva devotional hymns; includes references to Chidambaram and its goddess.
c. 6th-9th century CE
Shaiva Siddhanta texts
Philosophical works that describe the significance of Śivakāmī as the consort of Nataraja.
c. 12th-13th century CE
§ 16Related Deities
Continue exploring
न
Consort
Nataraja
नटराज
प
Form of Parvati
Parvati
पार्वती
श
Consort (as Nataraja)
Shiva
शिव