Thiruvathirai Vrata or Arudhra Darisanam(January 02,2018)

Thiruvathira or Thiruvathirai Vrata or Arudhra Darisanam is a Hindu festival that is widely celebrated mainly in the South Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This holy vrata or fasting is observed on the day of thiruvadhirai nakshaththram (star), on the full moon day of the Tamil month Maarkazhi,(December-January). The Thiruvadhirai vrata is one among the eight major vratas dedicated to Lord Shiva. Thiruvaadhirai is also considered to be the nakshaththra (Star) of Lord Nataraj. This is the longest night of the year. The word thiruvathirai in Tamil language literally means ‘sacred big wave’. This denotes the massive wave that triggered the creation of the universe by Lord Shiva.

The Arudhra Darshan is a festival celebrating the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva, also known as Lord Nataraj. This cosmic dance of the Lord denotes the five major activities of the God namely Creation, Protection, Destruction, Embodiment and Release. In simple terms, it represents the continuous cycle of creation and destruction. This cosmic dance occurs in each and every particle, including the smallest of atoms. It is also considered the source of all energy. Arudra Darshan is the ceremony that celebrates this divine cosmic dance of Lord Shiva. This festival is celebrated not only in the Shiva shrines of south India, but also in many other countries around the world such as Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Australia, and South Africa, which has a significant Tamil-speaking population.

The festival of Arudhra Darshan is celebrated most importantly in the world renowned Thillai Natarajar temple at Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. The cosmic dance of Lord Shiva is enacted on the day of Thiruvadhirai in this temple. Most temples with Lord Nataraja and Shiva as a deity conducts this sacred ceremony of Arudhra Darshan.

Lord Shiva has not taken birth in this mortal world and therefore there is no specific nakshaththram celebrating it. He is believed to have appeared on this auspicious day of Thiruvaadhirai before the holy Saint’s Vyaagra Paadha and Pathanychali. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu was once seen resting on the great serpent Adhi Seesha immersed in some deep thoughts. The intrigued Adhi Sesha asked Lord Vishnu about it, for which the Lord replied saying he was cherishing the mesmerising dance of Lord Shiva. This invoked the desire in Adhi seesha to witness this great dance himself and asked Lord Vishnu’s suggestion for fulfilling his desire. Lord Vishnu had recommended Adhi Seesha to undergo rigorous penance at the holy city of Chidambaram. Adhi seesha followed his advice and devotedly prayed Lord Shiva for a long duration. Around the same time, a devoted sage of Lord Shiva called the Viyaagra Paadha is said to have lived in that place. He too is said to have prayed Lord Shiva to grant him the legs of a tiger in order to pluck flowers at the dawn, without being disturbed by the bees. The flowers were meant as offerings to Lord Shiva. The Sage is also believed to have observed severe penance to get the divine darshan of Lord Nataraja’s cosmic dance. Lord Shiva who was at last pleased with the prayers of Adhi Sesha and Sage Viyaagra Paadha, granted darshan of his divine dance to both, in Chidambaram on the day of Thiruvaadhirai. This event has been attributed to the celebration of the famous Aarudra Dharshan in the Nataraaja temple of Chidambaram which is celebrated amidst utmost devotion and enthusiasm.