Arudra Darshan at Chidambaram, Margazhi Thiruvathirai 2026

What happens

1. The festival runs ten days, opening with the hoisting of the temple flag.
2. On the ninth day Nataraja rides out on the great temple chariot, which thousands of devotees pull through the streets.
3. On Arudra day the Maha Abhishekam of Nataraja begins before dawn, and the Arudra darshan follows in the afternoon. The 2021 schedule gave 3.30 am and 2 pm.

Sources: chidambaramnataraja.org · checked 30 Oct 2026

Where families go

• 

  Chidambaram Nataraja Temple

  Chidambaram

  Margazhi Thiruvathirai is one of the two greatest festivals of the Nataraja Temple, with a chariot procession and a long abhishekam of Nataraja.

  Timings and guide

Other places families use

• Mangalanathar Temple, Uthirakosamangai (Tamil Nadu): Its emerald Nataraja stays covered in sandal paste all year and is shown uncovered to devotees at Arudra.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · checked 30 Oct 2026

When to go

Margazhi Thiruvathirai falls in December or January. The district names it, with Aani Thirumanjanam, as the temple's grandest festival.

Sources: cuddalore.nic.in, drikpanchang.com · checked 30 Oct 2026

Before you go

• Good to knowThe temple is run by its Dikshitars and we found no official 2026 festival schedule. Confirm the chariot and darshan days locally before you book travel.
• SafetyHundreds of thousands come to see the abhishekam. Keep elders and children close and agree a meeting point outside the temple.

• OfficialCuddalore district, Chidambaram temple page

Rituals, fees and timings are set by each temple. Where the temple sells a seva or ticket, book it only on its official channel.

Sources: chidambaramnataraja.org, en.wikipedia.org · checked 30 Oct 2026