The Thiruvadhirai Vrata is also known as the Ardra
Darshana Vrata is a very famous vrata that is gloriously celebrated. This vrata
is observed on the thiruvadhirai nakshaththram, the full moon day in the Tamil
month of Maarkazi or Maargasira, the month of December-January as per the
Gregorian calendar. The Thiruvadhirai vrata is one of the eight significant
vratas dedicated to Lord Shiva. Thiruvaadhirai is also considered to be the
nakshaththram of Lord Nataraj and is the longest night of the year. The word
thiruvathirai in Tamil language implies a ‘sacred big wave’ that was used
during the creation of the universe by Lord Shiva.
The Thiruvadhirai vrata is a part
of the renowned Hindu festival called as Arudhra Darisanam or Thiruvathirai.
This festival is celebrated with great pomp and show in the southern Indian
states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Arudhra Darshan celebrates ‘Nataraj’, the
cosmic dance of God Shiva. This festival is also observed with great enthusiasm
in Lord Shiva temples in Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Australia, and South
Africa and in some other parts of the world that has predominant Tamil speaking
population.
Lord Shiva never
took birth and therefore there is no nakshaththram dedicated to celebrate it.
It was on the auspicious day of Thiruvaadhirai that He appeared before holy
saint’s vyaagra paadha and pathanychali. It was mentioned in the Hindu
mythology that once Lord Vishnu was resting on the great serpent and Adhi
seesha felt that He was in some deep thinking. On asking Lord Vishnu told Adhi
seesha that he was remembering the dance of Lord Shiva. This answer invoked the
desire in Adhi seesha to witness this great dance. He asked Lord Vishnu how
this desire could be fulfilled. Lord Vishnu then urged him to do rigorous
‘tapas’ at Chithamparam’. Adhi seesha followed his advice and devotedly prayed
to Lord Shiva for a very long time. At the same there, a muni and devotee of
Lord Shiva known as viyaagra paadha who lived in that same place. He worshipped
to Lord Shiva to obtain the legs of a tiger in order to pluck flowers at the
dawn, without being touched by the bees for offering to the God. He also
observed ‘tapas’ to see His great ‘Nataraj’ dance. Finally Lord Shiva was
pleased with their prayers and devotion and he showed his ‘Nataraj’ dance in
Chithamparam on the day of Thiruvaadhirai. From then onwards the ‘Nataraaja’
image of Shiva is worshipped here with great fervour on this day.
The glory of the
Thiruvadhirai vrata is known since the ancient times. Saint Vygrapadhar,
Munychakchar and Karkotakan, a serpent observed this vrata and was consecrated
with an opportunity to witness this glorified dance of Lord Nataraj. Saint
Vygrapadhar also got ‘upamanyu’ as his son after observing this vrata. Also
Vipular, a Brahmin performed this vratham and he went to ‘kailash’, Lord
Shiva’s lok and returned back on a splendid divine carrier. After a while he
too attained liberation. The Thiruvadhirai vrata honours the graceful and
blissful dance of Lord Shiva and devotees observe this vrata to please the God
and receive His blessings.
Rituals
of the Thiruvadhirai Vrata:
- On the day of Thiruvaadhirai
the devotees get up very early in the morning and salute this image of
Dancing Lord. After taking bath and finishing the daily rituals, the
devotees then visit the abode of God Shiva.
- They make several
offerings to the Lord and perform ‘abhishekam’ a ritual of giving bath
with milk and curd. The devotees must also witness the holy anointing
ceremony of Lord Nataraj. It is a ritual to light up this abode of Lord
Shiva with ghee lamps.
- On this day a special
sweet called as ‘kali’ and ‘thalakam’ a multi vegetable dish is prepared
to celebrate the joy of seeing this cosmic dance of Lord Shiva. The
devotees watch the complete ceremony of Nataraj’s processions with
dedication.
- On the day of
Thiruvadhirai vrata the devotees must observe fasting for the whole day.
They break their fast on the next day after finishing their Lord Shiva
worship and morning salutations. A partake meal is then eaten with other
Saivite devotees.
2017 Date : 11th January.
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