Arudhra Darshan

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Om Namah Sivaya

 

 

 

 

 

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 Saivite temples all over world. This year, Arudhra Darshan falls on 1st January 2010. Temples celebrate this auspicious occasion with special Abhishekam, Puja to Lord Nataraja and His consort Sivakami, followed by Lord's Procession.Falling on the day of Tiruvadirai star (also known as Arudhra) in the month of Marghazhi, is one of the two stars that have the prefix Tiru. The other is Tiruvonam, favoured for worship of Sri Vishnu. Tiruvadirai is favoured for Siva. In Sirghazhi (Tamil Nadu, India) this day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Saint Tiru Jnana Sambandar and the day when that saint, while a baby, was given the milk of Jnana by Sri Parvati. In Thirupperundurai (Tamil Nadu, India), the

day is observed as the birthday of Saint Manickavachakar.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, concealment and bestowal of Grace. In the month of Marghazhi, on the day when Thiruvadirai star and new moon coincide, Siva Baktas celebrate the ecstatic dance of Lord Siva. In Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu, India), a great Abhishekam is performed to the Lord on Thiruvadirai day. A delicious, sweet food preparation, known as Kali, is offered to the Lord and distributed as Prasad to all. Obtaining this Prasad connotes the devotees’ attainment of Inner Bliss. In Chidambaram( http://www.indiantemples.com/Tamilnadu/chidambaram.html ) ; 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 - Kanakasabha (The Hall of Gold) . The other four are Velli Sabha (The Hall of Silver) at Madurai (Tamil Nadu, India), Ratnasabha (The Hall of Rubies) at Tiruvalankadu (Tamil Nadu, India), Tamrasabha (The Hall of Copper) at Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu, India), and Chitrasabha (The Hall of Artwork) at Kutralam (Tamil Nadu, India).

Sivaya Namah