Well folks, its my favourite day of the year again. Its Arudra Darisinam. Its my favourite day because of 2 reasons. It is celebrated for my favourite deity, Lord Shiva on the star Tiruvadirai or Arudra in Sankskrit. This year it falls on 8 January 2012.
ARUDRA DARISANAM
is a festival , celebrated on the day of Tiruvadirai star in Margazhi month.It is essentially Shaivite festival
and celebrates the Cosmic dance of Lord Shiva. Arudra star is one of two stars that have the
prefix "THIRU". Another star is Onam star - "Thiruonam"favoured for Shiva and Mahavishnu repectively.
Arudra denotes a Red Flame.Lord Shiva has also a name called "Semporjyoti" or "Golden Red Flame". It is in the form of light the lord performs his function of five activities which are Creation, Protection, destruction,Embodiment and Release. Nataraja is the manifestation of the Lord Shiva as a Light.In the month of Marghazhi , on the day when Tiruvadirai star and the Full Moon coincide , we celebrate the esctatic dance of Shiva.
On the Tiruvadirai day in margazhi , Lord Natraja comes out in procession to give darshan to his devotees.In Sanskrit ‘Arthirai’ is called ‘Ardhra’ and the Thiruvathirai anointing ceremony is called Ardhra Abisheka and the Thiruvathirai viewing as Ardhra Darshan. It is held as a great achievement to view the Nataraja's procession in Chidambaram.
In Chidambaram abhishekam for the Lord on tiruvadhirai day in Margazhi will be performed in a grand manner and the devotees will be given KALI as prasadham.Obtaining the prasadam , is attainment of bliss through the Lord.
Story behind why Kali is given as Prasadham :
A devotee named Sendanar had the habit of eating food after offerring it to Lord and then distribute among other devotees . Only the leftover he will eat.On the tiruvadirai day , due to constant bad weather he couldn't get any essential items for preparring proper meal.He had no other option but to mix water with rice flour and prepare a mashed paste.Lord Shiva understood his predicament.He wanted the people to know how sincere his devotee was to him.He disguised himself as a siva devotee and enjoyed what was given to him as food.And as he stood for a while in the Nataraja Sanctrum,The Lord Showered the Kali all over the premises , in recognition of his deep devotion.Since the day the miracle happened Kali is the special offering to Lord Nataraja on Margazhi.
Legend Behind Arudhra
darisanam :Once when Mahaa Vishnu was lying down on the great Serpent
Adhi sesha, Adhi sesha felt Mahaa Vishnu was quite heavy that time. He asked
Mahaa Vishnu what was the reason. Mahaa Vishnu said that he was remembering and
enjoying the Dance of Lord Shiva. The answer developed the desire in Adhi seesha
to see the Great Dance of Lord Shiva. He asked Mahaa Vishnu how his desire could
be fulfilled. Mahaa Vishnu asked him to go to Chithamparam and do "tapas". Adhi
seesha came to Chithamparam and prayed the Lord for a long time.
There was another muni and devotee of Lord Shiva in
that place, called Viyaagra paadha. He prayed to God to get the legs of tiger,
so that he can pluck flowers early in the morning to offer to the God, before
any bee touches the flower. He was also praying God to see His Great Dance for a
long time.Pleased with their prayer the God appeared on the Thiruvaadhirai day
and danced in Chithamparam. The Nataraaja image of the Lord is prayed with great
devotion this day. In Chithamparam and other temples it is celebrated as Arudraa
dharshanam. In this festival abhisheeka (holy anointing) of Lord Nataraaja takes
place early in the morning and then He comes around the town.
So I hope all of you enjoy on this special day and may the blessings and grace of Lord Shiva be upon all.
Om Nama Shivaya.
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