Inside the sanctum of Chidambaram

Through our close connections with the priests of Chidambaram, we were able to go into parts of the vast temple that are rarely seen by outsiders.

From an elevated balcony, we can look directly onto the golden roof that covers the inner sanctum where Shiva Nataraja is worshipped. We were given special permission to take photographs inside this holy site.

The group poses on the balcony above the golden roof with the priest who performed the long ceremony honoring Ganesha.