The 10-day Arudra Darshan festival began on December 25, 2025, at Sri Sabanayagar Temple, also known as Sri Natarajar Temple in Chidambaram. The festival started with flag hoisting amid hymns. Special pujas were performed for Lord Natarajar, Sivagami Sundari, and the flag mast. Hundreds of devotees watched the rituals between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. The key events are the car procession on January 2, 2026, followed by Arudra Darshan on January 3. This festival is one of the two major annual 10-day events when Lord Nataraja is taken around the four car streets of the temple town. The other festival is Aani Thirumanjanam. The Cuddalore district police have arranged special security for the car festival on January 2.