Āvaṇi Caturdaśī 2223: Pomona, California

Āvaṇi Caturdaśī is one of the six annual Abhiṣekam days observed for Lord Naṭarāja at the Cidambaram Temple, together known as Śrī Naṭarāja Abhiṣekam. It falls in the Tamil month of Āvaṇi, on the Śukla Caturdaśī tithi (the fourteenth day of the waxing moon) that prevails at dusk, while the Sun transits Siṃha rāśi.

The twilight hours, spanning the last part of daylight into the early night, are traditionally held sacred to Śiva, and a Caturdaśī tithi falling within this window is regarded as especially auspicious for His worship: the same principle underlying the fortnightly twilight vrata observed nationwide, but here anchored specifically to the Siṃha solar transit for this Cidambaram observance.

Devotees mark the day with a special abhiṣekam of Lord Naṭarāja at dusk, along with recitation of Tēvāram hymns composed by the Nāyaṉmārs in praise of the Cidambaram deity.