Cittirai Ōṇam 2202: Pomona, California

Cittirai Ōṇam 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 Cittirai, on the day Śravaṇa Nakṣatra prevails at dusk, while the Sun transits Meṣa rāśi.

Ōṇam-named observances of this kind are widely associated with Śravaṇa Nakṣatra across Tamil temple tradition, and at Cidambaram this particular occurrence is marked with a special abhiṣekam (ceremonial bathing) of the Naṭarāja and Śivakāmi Amman deities at the Kanaka Sabhai, accompanied by traditional Tēvāram and Tiruvācakam recitation.

Devotees regard all six Naṭarāja Abhiṣekam days as especially auspicious for darśana, believing that witnessing the abhiṣekam on these specific tithi/nakṣatra combinations carries particular merit.