Arudhra Darisanam
Also called Thiruvathirai, Ardra Darshanam
When
Thursday, 24 December 2026 in 105 days
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Why this date?
The Arudhra (Ardra) nakshatra in the Tamil month Margazhi, commonly with the Purnima. A nakshatra observance, not a tithi one.
- Computed by the panchanga engine for your location
- Follows a written selection rule, not a copied list
- Governed by the whole day rather than a specific period
- The written guide has not yet been reviewed by a named scholar
Dates come from the calculation engine and are independent of the written guide. How we calculate โ
What In short
The day of Shiva as Nataraja. Chidambaram holds its principal abhishekam, and households make kali and ezhu kari kootu โ a seven-vegetable dish specific to the day.
- Deity: Shiva as Nataraja
Why The reason behind it
Ardra is Shiva's own star, and the darshan is of the cosmic dance rather than of the linga: at Chidambaram the Nataraja is bathed and shown, and the dance the image holds is what the day is for. Margazhi is the month of spiritual observance in the Tamil year, and this is its centre.
Traditional basis
Chidambaram temple tradition โ The Arudhra abhishekam as the year's principal Nataraja observance.
Tevaram and Tiruvasagam โ The Shaiva hymns recited through Margazhi and on this day.
How At home, step by step
- Attend the abhishekam where a Nataraja temple performs it.
- Make kali and ezhu kari kootu.
- Margazhi's pre-dawn bhajan rounds culminate here.
Fasting and breaking the fast
A single meal is kept by many.
Fasting guidance here describes traditional practice. It is not medical advice โ if you are pregnant, diabetic, on medication or unwell, ask a doctor about your own circumstances.
Personal In your region
- Tamil Nadu (Tamil)
Chidambaram is the reference observance; Margazhi's whole month leads to it. - Kerala (Malayalam)
Kept as Thiruvathira, with its own women's observance and the thiruvathirakali dance.
For children
The day of Shiva dancing. At Chidambaram the great bronze Nataraja is bathed and shown, and at home a dish is made with seven different vegetables in it.
Common questions
- Is this the same as the Kerala Thiruvathira?
- Same nakshatra and same month, kept differently. Kerala's is largely a women's observance with its own dance and fast; the Tamil one centres on the Nataraja abhishekam.
This guide has not yet been reviewed by a named scholar or practising priest. The dates and times on this page come from the calculation engine and are independent of it; the explanatory text is editorial and may not reflect your family's practice. Tell us if something is wrong.