Arudra Darshanam - A Sacred Festival That Blesses Life
Arudra Darshanam is an important Shaivite festival observed in the Tamil month of Margazhi on the auspicious Thiruvathirai star. On this day, Lord Shiva in his cosmic dancer form (Nataraja) is worshipped through six special abhishekams, symbolically cooling his fiery form. Devotees visit Shiva temples to have darshan of Nataraja and Sivakami Amman, considering it a highly sacred act.
According to legend, Lord Vishnu witnessed Shiva’s Ananda Tandava through his divine vision and narrated it to Adi Sesha, who later took birth as Sage Patanjali and performed intense penance at Chidambaram. Pleased by his devotion, Lord Shiva revealed his Ananda Tandava on the Thiruvathirai day, which is commemorated as Arudra Darshanam.
Devotees observe the Thiruvathirai fast by waking up early, applying sacred ash, chanting Shiva’s names, and worshipping at temples. It is believed that observing this fast brings peaceful family life, wisdom, spiritual growth, and liberation, and that worship on this day removes sins and grants lasting prosperity.
