The Chidambaram temple complex is an ancient and active temple complex in South India, believed to have been built in the 10th century when Chidambaram was the capital of the Chola dynasty. The temple is dedicated to Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, who was considered the family deity of the Chola dynasty. The temple has undergone several renovations, repairs, and expansions throughout its history, with most of its surviving plan, architecture, and structure dating back to the late 12th and early 13th centuries, with later additions in a similar style.

In addition to Nataraja, the temple complex features shrines for various deities from different traditions of Hinduism, including the earliest known Amman or Devi temple in South India, a pre-13th-century Surya shrine with a chariot, shrines for Ganesha, Murugan, and Vishnu, and one of the earliest known Shiva Ganga sacred pools. The complex also includes large mandapas (choultries, ambalams, or sabhas) for the convenience of pilgrims and other monuments.

The Chidambaram temple also features a shrine dedicated to Govindarajar and his consort, Lakshmi, which is located within the temple premises. The Govindarajar shrine is one of the largest in the complex and is known for its intricately carved pillars and beautiful sculptures.

According to legend, the idol of Govindarajar was brought to the Chidambaram temple complex by a devotee named Tirumangaialwar, who was a famous Vaishnavite saint. The statue was later installed in the temple, and a separate shrine was built for it. The shrine is believed to date back to the 12th century and is an important pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Vishnu.

The shrine of Lakshmi, the consort of Govindarajar, is located next to the main shrine and is also an important site for devotees. It is said that Lakshmi and Govindarajar are believed to have come to Chidambaram to pay their respects to Nataraja and stayed on as his devotees.

Together, the Natarajar, Govindarajar and Lakshmi shrines are an important part of the rich history and culture of the Chidambaram temple complex, and they continue to attract a large number of devotees and visitors every year.

The temple is considered one of the five elemental lingas in the Shaivism pilgrimage tradition and is revered as the subtlest of all Shiva temples (Kovil) in Hinduism. It is also a site for performance arts, including the annual Natyanjali dance festival on Maha Shivaratri. Shiva, as Nataraja, is presented in the temple performing the Ananda Tandava ("Dance of Delight") in the golden hall of the shrine Pon Ambalam.