TranslateWhen: December/January
Arudra Darisanam falls on the full moon of the Tamil month Margazhi, when the Arudra star is ascendant, and celebrates Shiva as Nataraja performing the cosmic dance of Ananda Thandavam. The most significant observance is at Chidambaram, where the Nataraja idol is brought out for an elaborate abhishekam witnessed by huge crowds.
When
Full moon of Margazhi (December or January)
Where
Chidambaram Nataraja Temple and Shiva temples statewide
Duration
Ten days at Chidambaram, one main day elsewhere
Main highlight
The abhishekam of Lord Nataraja at Chidambaram
At Chidambaram the ten-day festival includes daily processions of the temple deities and culminates in the great abhishekam, when the Nataraja and Sivakami idols are bathed with milk, curd, honey, sandalwood paste and other offerings before an assembled crowd. Devotees stay awake through the night of Arudra.
Kali, a jaggery and rice preparation, and ulundu vadai are the traditional offerings of the day. The Thiruvempavai hymns of Manikkavasagar are recited through the Margazhi month leading up to the festival. Temple chariots are drawn through the four streets around the Chidambaram temple.
Chidambaram in Cuddalore district is the principal venue, about 240 kilometres from Chennai. Other important observances take place at Thillai Kali temple, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur and Nataraja shrines across the state. The abhishekam takes place in the early hours, so an overnight stay is necessary.
