Arudra Darisanam

Arudra darisanam - a religious and cultural festival of Tamilians. This falls on the full moon day of the tamil month Margazhi. Special prayers are held at all Lord Shiva temples. Milk, sandalpaste and other cooling liquids are offered to Lord Shiva to cool the god who was burning with anger while performing the Tandava nritya -- The cosmic dance of Nataraja. Arudra Darisanam (The sight of Lord Shiva) is also known as Thiruvadhirai.

Chidambaram - a place in cuddalore district of Tamilnadu is where Lord Nataraja abodes. It is believed here Lord Shiva danced in the Ananda Tandava pose (the cosmic dance of bliss) in the chit sabha( golden hall).

Lord Vishnu is supposed to have heard about Shiva’s cosmic dance . To witness this he descended to earth as Patanjali . At the appointed hour Shiva along with his consort Sivakami treats him visually to the cosmic dance of Bliss. This is supposed to have been witnessed by Lord Vishnu. This is one of the few places where there is a shrine for both Shiva and Vishnu.

The dance of Lord Shiva is frozen into metal and today is a symbol of Indian culture and is an idol which the Bharatnatyam dancers worship. It adorns many houses to symbolize Indian tradition and culture. It has also occupied a place of pride in my house too.

Today Thiruvadhirai kali (broken rice and moong dhal cooked with jaggery) and Ezhu than kootu ( 7 assorted native vegetables cooked in coconut and red chilli paste) are prepared for naivedhyam(bhog).

There is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Nataraja at Neyveli (near Pondicherry). It has a very big statue of Lord Nataraja. The temple is maintained very well. I feel at peace when i visit this temple.