Arudra Darshan: Read The Vrat Katha & Benefits Of Arudra Darshan

Arudra Darshan or Arudra Darisanam is a religious festival that honors Lord Shiva in the form of the cosmic dancer, Nataraja. This festival is important in states like Kerala and Tamilnadu. The day when Arudra or Thiruvadhirai Nakshatra coincides with the full moon in the month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan) is Arudra Darshan. This day is also regarded as the birthday of Lord Nataraja. Arudra Darshan festival celebrates the cosmic dance of Shiva in the form of Nataraja. 

As Lord Nataraja, Shiva is the source of all movement within the universe. His dance of creation, Ananda Thandava, was supposedly performed in the temple town of Chidambara in Tamilnadu. This place is regarded as the center of the universe and symbolizes the human heart. The dance encompasses the five activities (panchakritya) of Shiva - creation (drum), protection (Abhaya hasta pose of the hand), destruction (fire), embodiment (foot planted on the ground), and release (foot held aloft).

Arudra Darshan Pooja Vidhi

On the day of Arudra Darshan, devotees rise early in the morning and take bath in a holy river or pond. They do Pooja at home and later visit the Shiva temple to perform Abishekam for Shiva. A special Pooja is performed at all Shiva temples on this day. Many Hindus make it a point to visit the Chidambaram temple on this occasion to worship Shiva in his Nataraja form. Devotees partake of ‘kali,’ a special Prasad or bhog after the Pooja. 

Arudra Darshan Vrat 

Devotees do not eat anything for the whole day and spend time praying and singing bhajans. The vrat is broken the next morning after receiving Shiva’s darshan.

Arudra Darshan Story

Once, Vishnu was reclining on Adi Shesha, his snake bed in a blissful mood. Adisesha asked him what he was thinking about. Vishnu replied that he was enjoying Shiva’s cosmic dance in his memory. When Adisesha said that he wanted to witness it too, Vishnu told him to do severe penance to achieve his goal and sent him to Chidambaram. Adisesha went there and meditated for a long time to please Shiva.

Another sage called Vyagrapada was also doing penance there for the purpose of seeing Shiva’s cosmic dance. Finally, Shiva appeared before them as he was pleased with their penance and devotion. He performed the cosmic dance for them, and they were very happy. The temple that stands today at Chidambaram came up at the spot where Shiva performed the cosmic dance for his devotees.

Arudra Darshan Benefits 

Many great people observed the vrat for Arudra Darshan and obtained many benefits. Sage Vyagrapada, Munichakkar, and the serpent Karkotaka observed the vrat and were able to see Shiva’s dance. Vyagrapada was blessed with a son named Upamanyu. A Brahmin called Vipular observed the vrat and was able to visit Kailas. 

Significance of viewing Shiva’s dance

In Hinduism, Shiva is the Supreme god. When he performs the cosmic dance, he carries out the five acts of creation, sustenance, destruction, embodying, and release. The ash smeared all over his body indicates that all things in the universe will be changed and destroyed with the passage of time. Even as his dance puts his devotees in a blissful mood, it also reminds them of the higher purpose of life - the movement from the transient to the eternal.

Arudra Darshan Festivities

This festival is celebrated with great fervor at the Chidambaram temple, which is exclusively dedicated to Nataraja. Arudra Darisanam is a major event at all Shiva temples, especially those which have installed an image of Nataraja or the dancing Shiva. Chidambaram is one of the five Panchabhootha Sthalas or places that represent the five elements or Pancha Maha Bhootams - Fire, Air, Water, Land, and Sky. Chidambaram represents the sky.

The festival is also celebrated at the Nellaiappar temple, Tiruvalankadu Temple, Kutralanathar temple, Kapaleeswarar Temple, Tiruvarur Temple, and several other Shiva temples. 

On this day, it is most auspicious and beneficial to see the procession of the Lord. Special Abishekamsbaths and Poojas are performed in Shiva temples. On the last day of Arudra Darshan, a special dish called ‘kali’ is distributed to devotees. Devotees believe that eating this special dish can remove all their problems.