Here’s wonderful Lila of Lord Shiva with his devotee. Once a great devotee of Lord Shiva called Sendhanar lived in Chidambaram. He used to take food only after offering to Lord. Lord Shiva once transformed into a devotee. He visited Sendhanar and asked him food. Though Sendhanar had no money to buy food that day,he invited the devotee(Not knowing him as Lord!). Sendhanar made a dish with rice and jaggery. Its called “Khali”.
Then, he made the dish into parts. First he offered to Lord then to Shiva Adiyar. Then Lord in the form of Shiva Bhakta says it to be very delicious and asks more. He offers his part also to the devotee.At the same time the King of Chidambaram also was a great devotee. Everyday he used to go to the Chidambara Nataraja temple . And the anklet of Lord Nataraja used to move conveying the King that Lord is pleased by his Puja. Once the King noticed that the anklets weren’t shaking and was disappointed. Then Lord came in his dream saying that he visted Sendhanar's home to eat. He also asked the King to offer respects to Senthanar. Next day when the Dikshitars of Chidambaram temple open the gates of Nataraja,they were shocked to find that the whole shrine of Nataraja was shattered with the sweet dish and there was little food on Nataraja's mouth.They suddenly hear a celestial voice"Senthan offered me Khali”. All of them rushed to King and narrated all that happened. The King replies that he had a dream where Lord says he didn't accept his Puja because he went to Senthanar's house to eat. All of them tried to find Senthanar but fail.
Then the festival of Thiruarudra arrives. A great festival is celebrated in the Chidambara Nataraja temple. After all the rituals, Nataraja is taken out on a chariot so that the whole city can see him.But the chariot of Nataraja wasn’t even moving an inch. People tried very much! The King gave his elephants to pull the chariot but of no use. Everyone was worried. Then suddenly a celestial voice said "If my dear Senthan sings, the chariot will move." Even Senthanar was astonished after hearing it because never knew how to sing!He closed his eyes and sung hymns with devotion to Nataraja. These hymns are known as Thirupallandu. The chariot starts to move and now everyone knows who Senthan is. The King highly respected him as ordered by Lord of Chidambaram himself.Till date during Thiruarudra festival Khali is offered to the Lord on Thiruarudra. Lord Shiva is so compassionate that he loves and wants to always dwell with his devotees be it even a Carpenter!
