Thiruvathira Fesival, the Birth Day of Lord Siva

The asterism Aridra or Thiruvathira ( Alpha Orionis ) coincides with Full Moon and we have the Festival Of Thiruvathira in Dhanus ( sidereal Sagittarius ), hailed by some as the Birth Day of the Lord, as the Moon in Aridra opposes the Sun in sidereal Sagittarius.

Thiruvathira is celebrated in Kerala and T N. In T N, the day is known as Ardra Darshan.

Women fast and observe Vrata on Thiruvathira days for husbands, on Makeeryam days for sons and on Punartham days for brothers. 

This is the day when Lord Shiva burnt the God of Love, Kama Deva to ashes, implying the symbolism that the Yogi should burn up Eros or Kama, the lust that binds man to the sublunar world,  in order to achieve Self Actualisation.

Thiruvathira is celebrated especially by the womenfolk. At night time, women perform Thiruvathira Kali or Kaikotti Kali. Around a lighted lamp, they stand in a circle and perform this dance.

The ravishing Kerala maidens, play this dance, in order to gain a great husband. Like Parvathy's dance to gain Lord Shiva !

It is believed that, in order to keep Lord Shiva awake, after He drank poison, Mother Parvathi and Her friends danced this glorious dance.

In another version, the Gopis took vows to get Lord Krishna as their husband and their dance became the divine Athira Dance ! 
Long live different versions !

In another version, Rathi prayed to the Lord to restore Kamadeva and Lord Shiva restored him to life. And Rathi danced in ecstasy and that dance became Thiruvathira ! That is why it is said that the Lord gave Salvation to both Rathi and Parvathy on this glorious day!

Athira Nalithu Shambhuvinte
Janmanal Poothiruvathirayam
Sree Parvathikkum Rathikkum innu
Shankaran Prathyaksha Moksham nalki

Athira is the Birthstar
Of Love Immortal
Self Actualisation He gave today
To Rathi and Parvathi !

Similar to Thiruvathira in Kerala, in T N, Ardra Darshanam is celebrated. Chidambaram in  TN is one of most celebrated Siva shrines. The Cosmic Dancer ( " The Dancing Siva is the dancing Universe - Capra" ) revealed the secrets of his Dance here to his devotee, Nandana.

 Chidambaram                                                    Full Moon

                        Aridra or Thiruvathira or Betelgeuse 

When Life becomes complex, there is no other alternative but to take refuge in the Unknown !

O Unknown ( Fate ) show Thy hand
Ourselves we do not owe
What is decreed must be
And be this so !