Aarudra Darisanam

This year it falls on december 21 2010 and some temple celebrate it on celebrated on 22nd
“Thiruvadirai” or “Arudhra Darisanam” is yet another important festival specially for Saivites. 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 Siva-temples, all over world. Falling on the day of Thiruvadirai star (also known as Arudhra) in the Tamil month of Marghazhi (December/January), 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 Siva. On this day, when Thiruvadirai star and full moon coincide, we celebrate the ecstatic dance of Lord Siva. All Siva temples all over the world, celebrate this auspicious occasion with special Abhishekam, Puja to Lord Nataraja and His consort Godess Sivakami, followed by Lord's Procession.

On this festival day, our houses are cleaned and decorated with kolam (rangoli) . "Maa-ilai (Mango-leaf) Thoranams" and "flowers thoranams" are made and tied to the Main Doors of the house, Pooja-Rooms etc.

A delicious sweet, known as “Thiruvadirai Kali”, is prepared in all our families. This specially made “Thiruvadirai-Kali” along with betel -leaves, betel -nuts, various fruits, flowers, sandal paste, kumkum, turmeric powder etc. are offered to the Lord Siva and distributed as Prasad to all members. Eating this Prasad on this day, connotes the devotees’ attainment of bliss.

During Prayers (Aarthi), Bhajans and devotional songs, particularly “Thevaram”, “Thiruvasagam” and “Thiruvempavai”, are jointly sung by all family members.
On this day, it is a must that all family members visit a Siva Temple, particularly in the late evening and see Special Abishekam being done to Lord Nataraja. If possible, it will be a great boon if we could stay for Mid-night abhisekam also and receive Lord's blessings.
“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 Chidambaram , 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 - Kanakasabhai . The other four are Velli Sabhai (The Hall of Silver) at Meenakshi Temple at Madurai, Ratnasabhai (The Hall of Rubies) at Tiruvalankadu, Tamrasabhai (The Hall of Copper) at Tirunelveli, and Chitrasabhai (The Hall of Artwork) at Kutralam, near Tenkasi, all located in Tamil Nadu, India.
Arudhra Darshan at Tiruvaalankaadu, 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. It is believed that this posture was in response to pleas by Pandiyan king, 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, at Tirunelveli, 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, 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 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. In Sirghazhi , this day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Saint Thirugnana Sambandar and the day when that saint, while a baby, was milk feed by Godess Parvati. In Thirupperundurai , the day is observed as the birthday of Saint Manickavachakar., who was also a renowned Minister in Pandiyan Kingdom. Lord Shiva is believed to have given darshan to saint Manickavachakar on this day on the completion of his recital of Thiruvampavai.