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Chidambaram Nataraja Temple Chariot Festival Illuminates Tamil Nadu with Devotion

The annual chariot festival at Chidambaram's Srinatharajar Temple was celebrated with grand fervor, coinciding with the Margazhi Aruthra Darshan. Thousands of devotees pulled chariots carrying deities like Natarajamurthy and Sivakamasundari Ambal in a vibrant morning procession. The event featured traditional street cleansing, Thirumurai recitals, cultural dances, and devotional enactments, concluding with a mela concert. This festival highlights the deep spiritual and cultural heritage of the Cuddalore district, preserving ancient temple traditions.

Key Points: Chidambaram Nataraja Temple Chariot Festival Celebrated

  • Annual chariot festival at Bhuloka Kailasam
  • Coincided with Aruthra Darshan
  • Devotees cleansed streets & pulled chariots
  • Featured cultural performances & mela concert
2 min read

Tamil Nadu: Chidambaram Nataraja Temple Chariot Festival celebrated with grand fanfare

Thousands pulled temple chariots in Chidambaram for the annual Margazhi festival, featuring processions, rituals, and cultural performances.

"Come, come Nataraja, come and go Nataraja - Devotees' chant during the procession"

Cuddalore, January 2

The annual chariot festival at Chidambaram Srinatharajar Temple on Friday was celebrated with great enthusiasm today, drawing thousands of devotees who participated in pulling the temple chariots.

The festival coincided with the Margazhi Aruthra Darshan Utsavam of Natarajamurthy, revered as the cosmic dancer and the presiding deity of the temple, also known as Bhuloka Kailasam.

The deities, including Chitsabai, Natarajamurthy, Sivakamasundari Ambal, Utsava Subramaniar, Vinayagar, and Chandikeswarar, were placed in separate chariots early in the morning. The procession began at 8 am from the Keezhaveethi Theradi stand, with devotees chanting devotional hymns such as "Come, come Nataraja, come and go Nataraja" as they pulled the chariots.

Shiva devotees and many women actively participated in the ritual cleansing of the streets, ploughing as part of traditional customs. The festival also featured Thirumurai Innisai Aradhana recitals, cultural performances in Vannam, including street dances by youths and girls, as well as devotional enactments by Shiva devotees dressed as Shiva and Parvati. The celebrations concluded with a mela concert, adding a vibrant cultural dimension to the religious festivities.

The chariot festival remains a significant spiritual and cultural event in the Cuddalore district, showcasing the local community's devotion and preserving centuries-old temple traditions.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday (December 5), unrest unfolded during the Hindu festival of Karthigai Deepam, a celebration symbolising the triumph of light over darkness.

Trouble began on Wednesday when activists from right-wing groups clashed with police after state government officials failed to light the sacred lamp at the hilltop stone lamp pillar. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had earlier directed that the lamp must be lit at the hilltop temple itself.

For centuries, Thiruparankundram hill has been regarded as a centre of religious coexistence and communal harmony. The hill houses the historic Subramaniya Swamy Temple, the Kasi Viswanathar Temple, and the Sikkander Badusha Dargah, a 17th-century mosque built long after the temples were built.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
It's wonderful to read about such peaceful and grand celebrations. This is the real India – faith, culture, and community coming together. The article mentioning the unrest during Karthigai Deepam is a sad contrast. Authorities should ensure religious traditions are respected without any interference.
A
Arjun K
The energy of pulling the temple chariot is unmatched! Been there once with my family, and the collective chanting of "Come Nataraja" gives you goosebumps. It's more than a festival; it's a spiritual experience. Glad to see it got the coverage it deserves.
S
Sarah B
As someone visiting from abroad, reading about these traditions is fascinating. The blend of ritual, street dance, and music sounds incredible. It's important for articles to also highlight places like Thiruparankundram that show historical coexistence, not just the conflicts.
K
Karthik V
While the celebration is beautiful, I wish the article focused solely on the Chidambaram festival. The last part about the Karthigai Deepam clash feels tacked on and shifts the narrative. Let's appreciate one event fully without immediately bringing in a negative incident from elsewhere.
M
Meera T
Jai Nataraja! 🕉️ Seeing women actively participating in the rituals and cleaning the streets is so empowering. Our temples are centers of culture and social harmony. The government must follow court orders and not create situations that lead to unnecessary clashes during festivals.

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