Thiruvathira, or Thiruvathirai, or Arudhra Darisanam is a Hindu festival held in the Tamil Nadu and Kerala Indian states. Thiruvathirai in Tamil means "sacred great wave" by which Lord Shiva formed this universe about 132 trillion years ago.
Orgin
It takes place on the full moon night in Margazhi's Tamil month (December – January) and this is also the longest night in a year. Stone inscription literary and historical evidence indicates that the festival has been observed on this day for over 1500 years. Many names praise Lord Shiva in Tamil, one of them being Athiraiyan (almost), from Thiruvathirai (Thiru + Athirai).
In temples, tamil hymns of the Thiruvasagam of Maanikavasagar (especially the hymns Thiruvempavai and Thiruppalliezhuchi) are chanted. The idols of Nataraja (Lord Shiva) and his consort Shivagami (Parvati) are taken from temple premises for a grand procession on the very day of Thiruvathirai. It is one of the most important activities in almost all of Tamil Nadu's Shiva temples.
Lord Shiva's celestial dance reflects five actions-creating, defending, killing, embodying, and releasing. Essentially it reflects the continuing process of development and destruction. This cosmic dance occurs within each particle and is the source of all energy. Arudra Darshan enjoys this Lord Shiva joyful dance.
It is basically a Shaivite festival and celebrates Lord Shiva's celestial dance, which is represented by the Nataraja statue. Arudhra (Thiruvathirai in Tamil) means the golden red flame, and Shiva performs the dance in the statue of this red-flamed light. On the day of Arudra Darshan Lord Shiva is expected to be incarnated in the form of Lord Nataraja.
Orgin
It takes place on the full moon night in Margazhi's Tamil month (December – January) and this is also the longest night in a year. Stone inscription literary and historical evidence indicates that the festival has been observed on this day for over 1500 years. Many names praise Lord Shiva in Tamil, one of them being Athiraiyan (almost), from Thiruvathirai (Thiru + Athirai).
In temples, tamil hymns of the Thiruvasagam of Maanikavasagar (especially the hymns Thiruvempavai and Thiruppalliezhuchi) are chanted. The idols of Nataraja (Lord Shiva) and his consort Shivagami (Parvati) are taken from temple premises for a grand procession on the very day of Thiruvathirai. It is one of the most important activities in almost all of Tamil Nadu's Shiva temples.
Lord Shiva's celestial dance reflects five actions-creating, defending, killing, embodying, and releasing. Essentially it reflects the continuing process of development and destruction. This cosmic dance occurs within each particle and is the source of all energy. Arudra Darshan enjoys this Lord Shiva joyful dance.
It is basically a Shaivite festival and celebrates Lord Shiva's celestial dance, which is represented by the Nataraja statue. Arudhra (Thiruvathirai in Tamil) means the golden red flame, and Shiva performs the dance in the statue of this red-flamed light. On the day of Arudra Darshan Lord Shiva is expected to be incarnated in the form of Lord Nataraja.