Festivals Celebrated
10 days of Margazhi Arudra - Thiruvathirai - festival is the important festival in Chidambaram. The flag hoisting takes place a day in advance of Arudra star day. The festival is dedicated to Manickavasagar. During the festival days, during the Deeparadhana time, Manickavasagar (idol) is brought before Lord Shiva. Thiruvembavai Hymns are chanted. On the final day after the farewell festival to the Lord placing in his Yadashthan, a similar Puja is performed to Manickavasagar also.
Aani Thirumanjanam ( 10 days festival): The flag is hoisted 10 days in advance of the Ani Uthira Star, the first day festival begins and till the 8th festival on the 8th day, the Gods, Somaskandar, Sivanandanayaki, Vinayaka, Subramanaya, Chandeswarar are taken in procession on Gold and Silver Vahanas. Lord Nataraja offers theertha from Sivagangai on Chithirai new year day, Thiruvadhirai day, Amavasaya days, Pradosham days and almost all the days in the year as many of the days are holy days here. All Saivite saints had praised the lord in their hymns. Arunagirinathar had praised the Muruga in the temple.
The presiding deity in the temple is known by many names - Moolattaneswarar, Sabhanayakar, Koothaperuman, Vidangar, Meruvidangar, Dakshinameru Vidangar, Ponnambalakoothan. Goddess is known as Sivakamasundari. Sivaganga, Paramanandakoopam. Vyakrapatha Theertham, Anantha theertham, Nagaseri, Brahmma theertham, Shivapriyai, Pulimedu, Kuyya theertham and Thiruparkadal are the holy theerthams in Chidambaram.
