Mahabhishekam

            Mahabhishekam (the great holy bathing) of the deities, Natarajar and Sivakamasundari, is conducted six times in a year, on certain specified dates.

Month (Tamil)               Festival day                                Venue

Dhanus (Margali)            Ardra (star)                                 1000-Pillared mantapa

Masi                                Sukla paksha caturdasi               Kanaka Sabha

Cittirai                             Tiruvonam (star)                         Kanaka Sabha

Ani                                  Uttaram (star)                             1000-Pillared mantapa

Avani                              Sukia Paksha caturdasi               Kanaka Sabha

Purattasi                         Sukia Paksha caturdasi               Kanaka Sabha

           Of these six, two are part of the two Brahmotsavam's (great festivals), Ani Tirumanjanam and Ardra Darsanam, in the Tamil months of Ani and Margali, and these Mahabhishekam's are performed in the Raja Sabha (1000-Pillared mantapa) before sun-rise. The remaining four are performed on this schedule in the Kanaka Sabha.

          Chidambaram is invariably described as 'Bhuloka Kailasam' (Kailasa on earth). It is a city of many festivals celebrated round the year. Many are the festivals that occur in the temple of Tillai. They can be classified as Big festivals and Annual festivals. The worship offered to God every day is called Nityam and Naimityam is the festival performed on special occasions. Any flaw that occurs in the Nitya Puja is removed during the Natimityka puja. Two great grand festivals are celebrated for Natarajar Murthi in year, in Ani Tirumanjanam and Ardra Darsanam.