Aarudra Darsanam is a festival celebrated to honor Sri Nataraja (Shiva) who created the universe a long time ago. It is celebrated in a grand manner in the five Sabhas of Sri Nataraja – (1) Kanakasabha (Gold) – at Chidambaram (Thillai or Tillai), (2) Velli Sabhai (Silver) at Madurai, (3) Ratnasabha (Ruby) at Tiruvalankadu, (4) Tamrasabha (Copper) at Tirunelveli and (5) Chitrasabha at Kutralam. This festival traditionally falls on the full moon night of Margasira month. The cosmic dance of Lord Shiva represents five activities – Creation, Protection, Destruction, Embodiment and Release. In essence, it represents the continuous cycle of creation and destruction. This cosmic dance[1 takes place in every particle and is the source of all energy. Arudra Darshanam celebrates this ecstatic dance of Lord Shiva