Thiruvadhirai or Aarudra darisanam is celebrated on Thiruvadhirai star day of the Tamil month margazhi. In Chidambaram, it is a 10-day festival.
It is the day of Lord Nataraja”s birthday. Maha abhishekam and Vedic rituals are done in Chidambaram Natarajar temple on this day. Maha abhishekam is done in the early hours around 3 AM when the moon still shines. This abhishekam will take even 3 hours. After this Lord Nataraja and Goddess Sivakamasundari is decorated with Thiruvabharanam. Around noon during Pancha Murthi Thiruveethi Ula Lord and Goddess will bless the devotees.
The cosmic dance of Lord Shiva which says about Creation, Protection, Destruction, Embodiment, and Release is also performed on this day in Chidambaram. People from all over the world from the dance fraternity will come and participate in this festival.
On this day we prepare Kali and koottu for neivedhayam to Lord Nataraja.
Thiruvadhirai is also celebrated in Kerala. Girls will perform Thiruvadhirai kali – a form of dance on that day.
