Shaiva agamas form the basis of worship in temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. However, it seems like the Sri Nataraja temple in the town of Chidambaram, Tamilnadu is not built and/or not follows the standard shaiva agamas. This page also mentions the same.
The Shiva Agama system of temple rituals followed in almost all of the Saivite temples in Tamilnadu, is not followed at Chidambaram. It is a unique worship protocol said to have been prescribed by Patanjali that is followed at this temple.
It is also well known that the temple is not run by the traditional Shivacharyas but by Dikshitars, who are termed as vaidika brahmins here.
Both sites mention that the temple in Chidambaram follows rules laid down by Patanjali but give no more details, which then brings us to the question:
What agama is being followed in Chidambaram temple? Do we have evidence of the text being put forth by Patanjali? What is the reason, historical or/and scriptural, this temple alone does not follow the Shaiva agamas?
