ఆణి తిరుమంజనం

తిరుమంజనం అంటే  పవిత్రమయిన అభిషేక స్నానం. ఆడి మాసం లో కానీ  మారఘశీర్షా  మాసం లో నటరాజ్ కి తిరుమంజనం చేస్తే నటరాజ స్వామి ప్రసన్నుడై దర్సనం ఈస్తడు.

The word "Thirumanjanam" means Holy bath. Aani Thirumanjanam ( Tamil month spanning June-July) is a special day ( Uthram Nakshtram) when an Abhishekam is performed for Lord Nataraja . It is believed that Lord Nataraja gives darshan to his devotees in the months Aani and Margazhi. The Lord's form demonstrates his five-fold functions: creation, preservation, destruction, concealment and salvation. The rattle (udukkai) in his right hand represents creation; his raised right arm with the open palm (abhaya hastam) protection; his left hand holding fire destruction; his firmly placed foot concealment; and his other, slightly lifted, leg salvation. Lord Nataraja is given six abhishekams in a year.

Earth takes 365 days to complete one full circle around the sun. That duration is divided into six seasons - Marghazhi-Thai: early winter; Maasi-Panguni: late winter; Chittirai-Vaikasi: early summer; Aani-Aadi: high summer; Avani-Purattasi: autumn; Aippasi-Karthikai: rainy season.This six-season year of humans is said to be one day for the immortals. A day has six periods: dawn, morning, noon, afternoon, evening, and night. These are when the six daily poojas ( Kaala Pooja) in temples are performed. During each of these six parts, an Abhishekam has been ordained for Lord Nataraja. One of these is Ani Thirumanjanam, the pradosha abhishekam on the evening of the day of Uthiram star in the Tamil month of Aani (June-July). This is the best time for worshipping Lord Shiva.

sadaJNchita mudaJNchita nikuJNchita padaM jhalajhalaJNchalita maJNju kaTakam.h

pataJNjali dR^igaJNjana manaJNjana machaJNchalapadaM janana bhaJNjana karam.h |

kadambaruchimambaravasaM paramambuda kadamba kaviDambaka kagalam.h

chidambudhi maNiM budha hR^idambuja raviM para chidambara naTaM hR^idi bhaja || 1||

Heartily resort to the great dancer Shiva, residing in the holy place, Chidambaram. He is called Hara (the destroyer) who smashed the three cities (of demon tripura). He is worshipped by good people. While dancing he has lifted one foot which is bent. His lovely bracelets are set in motion of dance movements and hence are making a jingling sound. He is like ointment to the eyes of Patanjali by whose application the vision gets clear for receiving knowledge. However, he is free from contamination of any kind. He destroys the cycle of birth (and death). He possesses the loveliness of Kadamba tree; wears the sky as garment . His throat is dark like the multitude of rainy clouds. He is the jewel in the ocean of consciousness. He is the the Sun blossoming the lotus- heart of wise persons.