Sri Ārudhra Dharshan - 21 Dec 2010
The pre-dawn hours of the full moon night, in the month with the longest nights in the year, marks the auspicious time for Ārudhrā Darshan - of Lord Natarājā in Saivite temples all over world. This year, Ārudhrā Darshan falls on Tuesday, Dec 21, 2010. Needless to mention, our temple has grand plans to celebrate this auspicious occasion with special Abhishekam, Puja to Lord Natarāja and His consort Sivakami, followed by Lord's Procession with His Consort.Falling on the day of Thiruvādirai star (also known as Ārudhrā ) in the Tamil month of Mārghazhi, is one of the two stars that have the prefix “Thiru.” The other is Thiruvonam, favoured for worship of Sri Vishnu. Thiruvadirai is favoured for Shiva. In Sirghāzhi (Tamil Nadu, India) this day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Saint Thirugnāna Sambandar and the day when that saint, while a baby, was breastfed by Sri Parvati. In Thirupperundurai (Tamil Nadu, India), the day is observed as the birthday of Saint Manickavāchakar.
Arudhra designates a golden red flame, representing Lord Siva Himself. It is in the form of light that the Lord performs His functions of creation, protection, destruction and concealment. In the Tamil month of Marghazhi, on the day when Thiruvadirai star and new moon coincide, we celebrate the ecstatic dance of Lord Siva. In Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu, India), a great Abhishekam is performed to the Lord on Thiruvadirai day. A delicious, sweet food preparation, known as Kali, is offered to the Lord and distributed as Prasad to all. Obtaining this Prasad connotes the devotees’ attainment of bliss.
In Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu, India), which houses one of the greatest temples for Lord Nataraja on this planet, Mārgazhi Bhramothsavam, or annual festival is celebrated with great fervor for a period of 10 days. Hundreds of thousands of devotees congregate from all over the world to witness the climax of this festival, which happens on the day of Arudhra Darshan. The cosmic Dance of Siva is enacted later that afternoon, featuring the revered images of Nataraja and Sivakami decked in regal finery. The images are then taken back to the innermost sanctum.
Chidambaram houses one of the Pancha Sabhas or the five cosmic Dance Halls of Lord Siva - Kanakasabha. The other four are Velli Sabha ("The Hall of Silver") at Madurai (Tamil Nadu, India), Ratnasabha ("The Hall of Rubies") at Tiruvalankadu (Tamil Nadu, India), Tamrasabha (The Hall of Copper) at Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu, India), and Chitrasabha (The Hall of Artwork) at Kutralam (Tamil Nadu, India).
Arudhra Darshan at Tiruvālankādu (Tamil Nadu, India) enshrining Lord Natarājā in the Oordhva Taandava posture, is the grandest festival here. The Velli Sabhai ("Silver Hall") at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple at Madurai, bears a stone image of Nataraja and a festival image, both with their right foot raised (in response to pleas by a Pandiya ruler, who was appalled by the thought of Nataraja's right foot becoming weary thanks to his constant dance, with his left foot raised.)
The Periya Sabhapati shrine, the Sandana Sabhapati shrine are scenes of festivity at the Nellaiappar temple during Arudhra Darshan. The festive image of Nataraja is housed in the ornate Tamra Sabha, and the Cosmic Dance of Siva is enacted on the occasion. At Kutraalam (Tamil Nadu, India), the festival image of Nataraja is taken from the Kutralanaathar temple to the Chitra Sabha, and the Thāndava Deepa Arādhanā is performed there.
Arudra Darshan festival at Tiruvarur (Tamil Nadu, India) has been referred to in the hymns of the Thevaram saints (7th century). Also mentioned in the Poompāvai Patikam of Tirugnānasambandar are the Arudra Darshan celebrations in the Tirumayilai Shivastalam of Kapaaleeswarar temple in the heart of Chennai (Tamil Nadu, India).
Please be part of this very auspicious occasion with your friends and family, at our temple this year. The Abhishekam will be performed at 5:00 AM (you read it correctly - 5:00 in the morning) on Dec 21st, followed by Arudhra Darshan at 8:00 AM and Sri Nataraja Procession shortly thereafter. Remember, this event happens just once a year, and should not be missed. We cordially request you to participate in the event, with family and friends and partake the blessings of the Lord Nataraja & Lord Sivagami.
The schedule of events is as follows:
05:00 AM: Thiruppalli Ezhuchchi
05:15 AM: Navakalasa Abhishekam
07:30: Music Concert by Sri Kaarai Punniyamurthi
08:00 AM: Thiruvembavai Puja, Arudhra Dharshan, Procession of Lord Nataraja and Lord Sivagami to the accompaniment of traditional Nadaswaram music.
We cordially request you to participate in the event, with family and friends and partake the blessings of the Lord.
Please feel free to forward this email to your friends and relatives who may benefit from the above information. Follow the events at the Temple Website at www.thehindutemple.ca.
With best regards,
Webmaster - The Hindu Temple Society of Canada
posted by Webmaster - Richmond Hill Hindu Temple @ 6:45 PM
