Thanks to Shri Sivasubramanian, FB for beautiful write-up and photos….
Today had been to Chidambaram for Arudra maha abhishekam & dharshan. Most of the devotees came to the temple early and slept at the mandapam braving the very chill weather to ensure their seat. Abhishekam for Sivakami ambal sameda Sri Natarajar started exactly at 3.30 am at Raja Sabai (1000 pillars mandapam) inside the east rajagopuram with Vigneshwara pooja and went on for more than 2 hours with Sri Rudram chanting by the dheekshitars. Felt blessed to chant Sri Rudram during abhishekam to the lord. The supercharged crowd of over 5000 devotees (numbers kept increasing gradually) chanted ‘Om Namashivaya’, ‘Sambo Mahadeva’ and ‘Hara Hara Mahadeva’. Abishekam was followed by alankaram and prasadam distribution. Later, the lord with his consort was taken from the raja sabhai to the sanctum sanctorum (chit sabhai) in a ritualistic dance (Ananda Thandavam). Excellent arrangements has been made by the authorites for the devotees attending the Arudra abhishekam and pooja..
Blessed are those who all attended this great event in Chidambaram!