Arudhra Darshan
A special event at the Temple
The pre-dawn hours of the full moon night, in the month with the longest nights in the year, marks the auspicious time for
Arudhra Darshan - of Lord Nataraja in Saivite temples all over world. This year,
Arudhra Darshan falls on Jan 6, 2004. Needless to mention, our temple has
grand plans to celebrate this auspicious occasion with special Abhishekam, Puja to Lord Nataraja and His consort Sivakami, followed by
Lord's Procession.
Falling on the day of Thiruvadirai star (also known as Arudhra) in
the Tamil month of Marghazhi, is one of the two stars that have the prefix “Thiru.” The other is
Thiruvonam, favoured for worship of Sri Vishnu. Thiruvadirai is favoured for Shiva. In
Sirghazhi (Tamil Nadu, India) this day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Saint
Thirugnana Sambandar and the day when that saint, while a baby, was breastfed by
Sri Parvati. In
Thirupperundurai (Tamil Nadu, India), the day is observed as the birthday of Saint
Manickavachakar.
Arudhra designates a golden red flame, representing Lord Siva Himself. It is in the form of light that the Lord performs
His functions of creation, protection, destruction and concealment. In the
Tamil month of Marghazhi, on the day when Thiruvadirai star and new moon coincide, we celebrate the ecstatic dance of
Lord Siva. In Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu, India), a great Abhishekam is
performed to the Lord on Thiruvadirai day. A delicious, sweet food preparation, known
as Kali, is offered to the Lord and distributed as Prasad to all. Obtaining this
Prasad connotes the devotees’ attainment of bliss.
In Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu, India), which houses one of the greatest temples for Lord Nataraja on this planet,
Margazhi Bhramotsavam, or annual festival is celebrated with great fervor
for a period of 10 days. Hundreds of thousands of devotees congregate from all over the world to witness the
climax of this festival, which happens on the day of Arudhra Darshan. The cosmic Dance of Siva is enacted later
that afternoon, featuring the revered images of Nataraja and Sivakami decked in regal finery. The images are
then taken back to the innermost sanctum.
Chidambaram houses one of the Pancha Sabhas or the five cosmic Dance Halls of
Lord Siva - Kanakasabha . The other four are Velli Sabha
(The Hall of Silver) at Madurai (Tamil Nadu, India), Ratnasabha
(The Hall of Rubies) at Tiruvalankadu (Tamil Nadu, India), Tamrasabha
(The Hall of Copper) at Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu, India), and Chitrasabha (The Hall of
Artwork) at Kutralam (Tamil Nadu, India).
Arudhra Darshan at Tiruvaalankaadu (Tamil Nadu, India) enshrining Lord Nataraja in the
Oordhva Taandava posture, is the grandest festival here. The Velli Sabhai
(Silver Hall) at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple at Madurai,
bears a stone image of Nataraja and a festival image, both with their right foot raised (in response to pleas by a
Pandiya ruler, who was appalled by the thought of Nataraja's right foot becoming
weary thanks to his constant dance, with his left foot raised.)
The Periya Sabhapati shrine, the Sandana Sabhapati shrine are scenes of festivity at the Nellaiappar temple during
Arudhra Darshan. The festive image of Nataraja is housed in the ornate Tamra
Sabha, and the Cosmic Dance of
Siva is enacted on the occasion. At Kutraalam (Tamil Nadu, India), the festival image of Nataraja is taken from the
Kutralanaathar temple to the Chitra Sabha, and the Taandava Deepa
Araadhana is performed there.
Arudra Darshan festival at Tiruvarur (Tamil Nadu, India) has been referred to in the hymns of the
Thevaram saints (7th century). Also mentioned in the Poompaavai Patikam
of Tirugnanasambandar are the Arudra Darshan celebrations in the Tirumayilai Shivastalam
of Kapaaleeswarar temple in the heart of Chennai (Tamil Nadu,
India).