The 10-day Arudra Darshan festival began with flag hoisting at Sri Sabanayagar Temple, popularly known as Sri Natarajar Temple in Chidambaram on Thursday (December 25, 2025), amid the chanting of hymns.
After special pujas to the presiding deities Lord Natarajar and Sivagami Sundari and to the flag mast, the flag was hoisted. Hundreds of devotees witnessed the rituals, which were held between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
The highlights of the festival are the car procession on January 2, 2026 and the Arudra Darshan festivities on January 3. This is one of the two important annual 10-day festivals, when Lord Nataraja is taken out around the four car streets in the temple town, the other being Aani Thirumanjanam.
The Cuddalore district police have made elaborate arrangements for the car festival on January 2.
