Significance of Arudra Darshan 2023: Cosmic Dance Of Shiva | Arudra Darisanam in Margazhi Month
Arudra Darshan or Arudra Darisanam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January). The date for Arudra Darshan 2023 is Friday, January 6. In 2022, there will be no Arudra Darshanam.
It is primarily a Shaivite event that honours Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance, which is symbolised by the Nataraja form.
Andhra represents the golden red flame and Shiva dances in the shape of this red-flamed light. It’s worth noting that Arudhra, Ardra, Arudhara, Arudra, and Arudara are all distinct spellings for the same celebration in English.
In Hindu astrology, Ardra or Arudhara or Thiruvathirai is the name of a natal star or nakshatra. Shiva is linked to this star.
Arudra Darshan’s Importance
Arudra Darshan is considered to be one of Lord Shiva’s most auspicious days. It is devoted to Shiva’s cosmic dance.
Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance signifies five activities: creation, protection, destruction, incarnation, and release. It represents the never-ending creation and destruction cycle. This cosmic dance, which is the source of all energy, involves every particle. Lord Shiva’s happy dance is commemorated by Arudra Darshan.
At the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, Arudra Darshan is very important because it symbolises the end of Margazhi Brahmotsavam.
It is celebrated with devotion at the Tiruvalankadu Temple, Nellaiappar Temple, Kutralanathar Temple, Tiruvarur Temple, Kapaleeswarar Temple, and numerous other Lord Shiva temples around the world.
When does Arudra Darshan take place?
It happens on the longest night of the year, the full moon night in the month of Margazhi (together with Arudra Birth Star). The event is mostly celebrated in Tamil-speaking countries.
The most prominent Arudra Darshan ceremony takes place at the Chidambaram Shiva Temple in Tamil Nadu. Lord Shiva performs his cosmic dance on this day.
Tamil speaking people in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, Australia, and other areas of the globe celebrate the Arudra festival with zeal at Lord Shiva temples.
Tiruvannamalai Temple’s Lord Nataraja Urchavam
Lord Nataraja Urchavam is celebrated in Tiruvannamalai Temple during the Arudra Darisanam festival, which commemorates Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance as Nataraja in the Tamil month Margazhi.
When the Ardra Nakshatra occurs in the month of Margazhi, the celebration is held in Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple. On this day, the temple does special pujas and rites.
Arudra Darisanam Festival at Chidambaram Nataraja Temple
The Chidambaram Nataraja Shrine in Tamil Nadu, which is the holiest temple, depicts Lord Shiva as Nataraja in his Ananda Tandava position — cosmic dance.
The Arudra Darisanam 2018 Festival at Chidambaram Nataraja Temple ends on January 1, 2018. This temple event commemorates Shiva’s cosmic dance. The Arudra Darisanam Celebration concludes the Margazhi Brahmotsavam, Chidambaram Nataraja Temple’s most significant temple festival.
Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance in Nataraja form for his followers Adi Shesha and Vyagrapaadar in Chidambaram, according to tradition. After hearing about this exquisite dance of creation from Lord Shiva, Adishesha, the seven-hooded snake on which Lord Vishnu sits in the Milky Ocean, wanted to see it. Vyagrapaadar was a Shiva devotee who underwent penance and Tapas in order to observe the Ananda Tandava. Lord Shiva approved their desire and had it fulfilled at Chidambaram.
Shiva’s Ananda Thandavam, also known as Nataraja, is said to represent the five divine operations (Pancha krityas) of creation, sustenance, dissolution, concealment, and bestowment of grace.
Shiva is also worshipped as Akasa Lingam at the Chidambaram Temple, in the ‘formless shape’ known as the Chidambara Rahasyam. On this day, Kerala celebrates the Thiruvathirai Festival, which honours Shiva and Parvati.
