It is a point of interest to note that in every south Indian Shiva Temple there is a separate shrine called ‘Sabha Mantap’ for Nataraja and his consort Parvati. In this connection it is apt to mention the following verses from the Tirukuttu Darshana (vision of the sacred Dance) which is the 9th ‘Tantra’ of ‘Tirumanthra’ by Tirumoolar and this describes the basic tenets of the Lord’s Dance.

This is translated into English thus: His form is every where all pervading in his Shiva Shakti Chidambaram is everywhere, everywhere his dance as Shiva is all and Omnipresent everywhere is Shiva’s gracious Dance made manifest. His five fold dances are in ‘Sakala’ (Temporal) and Nishkala form (Timeless) His five fold dance are his Panchakriya-s (five activities). With his grace he performs the five acts. This is the sacred dance of Uma-Sahaya. He dances with Water, Fire, Wind, and Ether.

Thus our Lord dances in the Court. There are in South India five sacred spots each housing a Linga associated with the five elements or ‘Pancha Bhoota-s namely

1. Prithive-Earth at Tiruvarur.
2. Appu-Water at Tiruvanaikka
3. Teyu-Fire at Tiruvannamalai