Ārudrā Darśanam 2206: Pomona, California

Ārudrā Darśanam, also called Tiruvātirai, is the most widely celebrated of the six annual Abhiṣekam days observed for Lord Naṭarāja at the Cidambaram Temple, together known as Śrī Naṭarāja Abhiṣekam. It falls in the sacred Tamil month of Mārgazhi (Dhanurmāsa), on the day Ārdrā Nakṣatra rules sunrise, or, in a kṣaya (short) occurrence, covers the sacred hours just before dawn instead, while the Sun transits Dhanu rāśi.

The day commemorates Lord Śiva's manifestation as Naṭarāja, the cosmic dancer, and is celebrated at Cidambaram with a grand pre-dawn abhiṣekam and procession of the deity, drawing devotees from across South India. Tiruvātirai is also observed in homes with the preparation of Tiruvātirai Kali, a traditional sweet dish offered on this day.

Unlike a shorter duration check applied elsewhere, Ārudrā Darśanam requires only that Ārdrā Nakṣatra be present at sunrise (or cover the pre-dawn hours): no additional post-sunrise duration threshold applies.