But the Lord felled him down and placed his foot on his back, thus breaking his spine and he was left writhing in pain. Shiva begging him to perform this dance once more and the Lord promised that he will do so in sacred Thillai or Chidambaram. The vanquished Rishi-s fell at the feet of Shiva and worshipped him. Hence the Ananda Tandava Murthi is situated at Chidambaram Temple.

All the dancers and the dance lovers know fully well that the statue of Lord Shiva represents the five fold activities of the Lord namely.

1. Srishri or creation attributed to Brahma.

2. Sthithi or preservation attributed to Vishnu,

3. Samhara or destruction attributed to Rudra,

4.  Tirobhava or illusion attributed to Maheshwara and
     lastly
5.  Anugraha or salvation attributed to Sadashiva.