Arudhra Dharshan 2018 is the annual event where the Cosmic Dancer Lord Nataraja blesses his devotees on the day of Margazhi Thiruvaadhirai. This year, the auspicious event falls on 2nd January 2018.
Uthirakosamangai is a renowned pilgrimage site where the presiding deity Lord Shiva is present in the form of His dancing posture. We call Him Lord Nataraja, and He is present in the form of a six-foot emerald idol.
The idol is wonderfully carved out of a deep green single emerald stone. The temple is a three-thousand-year-old structure where Lord Nataraja is covered by sandal paste throughout the year except for this special day!
Arudhra Dharshan Significance
Out of the twelve Tamil months, Margazhi is a sacred month. Devotees visit the temples throughout this month and worship their beloved Gods. The ardent devotees conduct musical concerts and divine preaching throughout this month.
Out of the several sanctimonious events this month, the day on which the Tamil star Thiruvadhirai falls is of high significance. A large number of devotees visit Sri Mangalanathar Swamy Temple at Thiru Uthirakosamangai near Ramanathapuram on this special day.
The devotees are enlightened to the core when they witness the unveiling of the Lord Nataraja at the early hours of the Thiruvadhirai star. As they cannot see this on any of the other days throughout the year, thousands of pilgrims throng in the temple, wait in long queues and get His blessings.
Devotees from across the state come here on this auspicious day to visit this significant Emerald Nataraja. The idol is open for public dharshan for a specific period of time on the Margazhi Thiruvadhirai day. And it is popularly called Arudhra Dharshan. Though Margazhi Thiruvadhirai is a very special occasion in all Shiva Temples, Arudhra Dharshan in Uthirakosamangai deserves a special mention here because of this Emerald Nataraja.
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