Thiruvathira

Thiruvathira or Thiruvathirai or Arudhra Darisanam is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Thiruvathirai (Arudhra) in Tamil means "sacred big wave". In Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu, the Sri Natarajar temple's annual Festival, is celebrated on this date. In the month of Makaram Thiruvathira Star is celebrated in Mathira Peedika Devi Temple, owned by Thiruvithamcore Devaswom Board, near Kadakkal in Kollam District of Kerala state. Thiruvathira has a connection with lord moon. Thiruvadirai – Arudra Darshan is celebrated in a grand manner in 5 Sabhas of Sri Natarajar, namely 1) Kanakasabha (Gold) – at Chidambaram (Thillai or Tillai), 2) Velli Sabhai (Silver) at Madurai, 3) Ratnasabha (Ruby) at Tiruvalankadu, 4) Tamrasabha (Copper) at Tirunelveli, 5) Chitrasabha (Pictures) at Kutralam. In Thillai Chidambaram 10 day Festival is held during Thiruvathirai. On the 9th day night (i.e., 10th day very early morning) Maha Abhishekam will be done to Lord Nataraja and Goddess Sivakamasundari at Raja Sabhai at around 3 am. The MahaAbhishekam will be held for about 3–4 hours. Then special Thiruvabaranam (Sacred Jewels) Alankaram, Rahasiya Pujai will be done to Sri Natarajar. Pancha Murthi Thiruveethi Ula, will be held at around 12 pm Noon. Soon after Pancha Murthi Ula in the afternoon Lord Natarajar and Goddess Sivakami will bless devotees with Aarudra Darisanam and enter Kanaka Sabhai (Golden Sabha). As the story goes Shesha, the divine bed serpent of Shri Vishnu, or Patanjali, along with the flower devotee sage of Shri Shiva, named Vyaghrapada, wanted to see the cosmic dance of God Shiva, and thus performed severe penance for many days at Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram. Pleased by their devotion, ultimately, God Shiva appeared before them to perform his dance of bliss or cosmic dance, as also granted the sage a boon to have tiger legs, so that he could pick flowers in the morning, to offer to God Shiva, without being stung by the bees.