The Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, also forms part of the Chola period Architecture. This ancient temple is unique because it is devoted solely to the art of Bharatanatyam, where Lord Shiva is depicted by an idol rather than the customary Lingam. The temple spread over an area of 40 acres, the presiding deity of the temple is represented by space (vacuum), one of the five elements of the universe and is known as Akasa Lingam. The others being wind, water, fire and earth.

Chidambaram is about 200 kilometers south of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, South India.