THANJAVUR: With a brightly illuminated towering gopuram and a colossal nandi for a backdrop, 1,000 dancers moved in unison to treat visitors to the Brahadeeswara temple to an ethereal experience. On Saturday, 1000 Bharatanatyam dancers offered an artistic salute to Lord Shiva to mark the millennium year of the temple, recognised as a world heritage site by the UNESCO. Attired in glittering outfits, the dancers who started assembling in front of the nandi sculpture in the temple since evening, were a feast for the eyes, dancing for more than 30 minutes beginning from 7.15pm when chief minister M Karunanidhi entered the temple. Soon after a hymn on the temple sung by "othuvars" after a request from Karunanidhi, the dancers began with Ganapati Kauthvam a prayer to Lord Ganesh followed by Thiruvisaippa of Saint Karuvur Thevar who was the spiritual Guru of Raja Raja Chola I, credited with designing the magnificent temple and getting it built during his reign. The extravaganza concluded with Siva Panchakshara Stuti of Adi Sankara. Danseuse Padma Subramaniam who conceptualized and choreographed the event danced facing the deity. The dancers who had come from across the country as well as US, Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka danced graciously, leaving the audience mesmerized. Actors Vineet and Swarnamalya were also among the dancers in the front row. Impressed with the performance, Karunanidhi said that this was not a performance by a group of dancers but a battalion of dancers. Referring to the dancers' preparation and rehearsal for the event by watching the CDs sent by Padma Subramanian, he said it reflected the interest and confidence of the artistes. However, while most of the visitors were anxiously awaiting the grand spectacle to unfold, few were intensely debating on which entrance Karunanidhi was likely to take since there is a belief that entering the temple through the main entrance would not augur well for politicians. Fuelling further debate, Karunanidhi skipped the main entrance of the Brihadeeswarar Temple, considered a jinx, and entered the shrine through a circuitous route to watch the grand dance spectacle. Karunanidhi who arrived from Tiruchi paused for a few moments in front of the main entrance as he took a look at the illuminated temple and then drove off to Sivaganga park behind the temple and entered the premises through the south gate, close to where a stage was erected. Yet another surprise to the public as well as politicians was the attire of Karunanidhi. His customary yellow shawl was replaced with a silk shawl, albeit with a thin strip of yellow in it.