Arudra Darshan is a very grand event happening in the Shiva temples especially where the image of Natraj (dancing Shiva) is installed. This is a festival celebrated with great fervor and celebrity in Chidambaram, a temple dedicated solely to Natraj in Tamilnadu. It is considered highly auspicious and beneficial to view the procession of Lord Natraj on this day.

Thirugyana Sambandar sung in Devaram during 7th-9th century, how Thiruvathirai celebrated at Kabaleeshwaram (present day Mylapore, Chennai).

"ஊர்திரை வேலை யுலாவும் உயர்மலைக்

கூர்தரு வேல்வல்லார் கோற்றங் கோள் சேரிதனில்

கார்தரு சோலைக் கபாலீச்சரம் அமர்ந்தான்

ஆதிரைநாள் காணாதே போதியார் பூம்பாவாய்"

Arudra Darshan Puja Vidhi On the day of Arudra Darshan, wake up in the early morning and take holy bath in a holy river or home chanting the names of holy rivers. Usually, this puja is all about visiting a Shiva temple and performing Abhishekam to Lord Shiva. In temples, there is a special worship arranged on this day. Especially it is considered very auspicious to visit Natarajar temple (dancing form of Shiva) in Chidambaram, a famous temple town in Tamil Nadu. The special Prasad offered to Shiva on this day is called as Kali (Thiruvadirai Kali as famously known in Tamil).

This year, 2020, Arudhra Darisanam falls on 30th December, Arudra Darshan Timings: Thiruvathirai Nakshathram Starts = 5:32 PM on 29-December-2020 Thiruvathirai Nakshathram Ends = 6:55 PM on 30-December-2020