2. Sthithi or Preservation, Gouri Tandavam (Thiruputhur Chit Sabha)

3. Samhara or destruction, Samhara Tandavam (Kanchipuram Kailasa –Natha Temple.)

4. Tirobhava or Concealment or Illusion – Tripura Tandavam (Thiruvakurtalam Ratna Sabha) and lastly

5. Anugraha or Bestowal of grace or salvation-Urdhva Tandavam (Thiruvalangadu-North Arcot District, Ratna Sabha)

All these activities are in Ananda Tandavam (Thillai or Chidambaram Kanaka Sabha.) The most exotic and the most prominent name of Shiva is Nataraja. Nataraja is the lord of dance or the king of actors. The cosmos is his Theatre; in his repertory there are innumerable steps.

There may be many dance forms of Shiva but the main theme of all these is the manifestation of Primal rhythmic energy. The origin of all these dances may be different; the main thing is the activities of God which any Art or Religion can be proud of. There are three main forms of Shiva’s dance according to Dr. Ananda Coomaraswamy and they are: