How to celebrate thiruvathirai at home

Arudra Dharshan, Arudra Darisanam, or Thiruvathirai is a famous festival dedicated to Lord Shiva in his dancing form, Nataraja. This festival is observed during the full moon night in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January). This is celebrated as a major event in the Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. Arudra Darshan is also celebrated with fervor in Shiva temples in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, Australia, and other parts of the world by Tamil speaking population.

Arudra Darshan is a special event that is considered as the birthday of Shiva’s dancing form, Nataraja. The cosmic dance of Lord Shiva represents five activities that sustain this universe – Creation, Protection, Destruction, Embodiment, and Release. In essence, it represents the continuous cycle of creation and destruction. Arudra Darshan celebrates this ecstatic, cosmic dance of Lord Shiva.

Grand Abishekams is performed for Lord Nataraja and Sivakami, his consort. These rituals are held in the pre-dawn hours when the Moon is shining brightly. A grand procession is taken through the streets. Thiruvathirai (Arudra) in Tamil means "sacred big wave.” Arudra Darshan is essentially a Shaivite festival that celebrates the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva, which is represented by his Nataraja form.

The most important and grand celebration of Arudra Darshan takes place at the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, Tamil Nadu. In Thillai Chidambaram temple, a 10-day festival is held during Thiruvathirai. Many people observe fasting/Nombu Vrat on this auspicious day. Women will observe fasting during the day time. They usually take food before sunrise and start their fasting; they break the fast after witnessing the moon rise. Some people observe fasting for 10 days. So Nombu (fasting) starts nine days before and ends on Thiruvathirai day.

A special food offering called Thiruvadhirai Kali made of rice, jaggery, moong dal, coconut, cardamom, and ghee is prepared and offered to Lord Shiva on this day. Thiruvathirai ezhu curry kootu which is made out of seven vegetables is also cooked and served on this day. Thiruvathirai Adai is prepared using rice flour and jaggery in addition to Kali and kootu and offered during the Pooja.

Some people have the practice of drawing procession car in the wall of the Pooja room and in the entrance of the house. The sacred altar is cleaned and decorated with flowers. Pooja is performed in the early morning during an auspicious time.  Some people also tie yellow threads to their wrists after the Pooja.