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Natyanjali Dance Festival in Chidambaram
On Shiva's great night, dancers offer their art beside the temple of the dancing god
Natyanjali is a festival of classical dance held over five evenings beside the Thillai Nataraja temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, around Maha Shivaratri. Next: 6–10 March 2027 (expected). Dancers of many schools offer their art to Shiva as the lord of dance, in front of a temple whose towers carry the 108 karanas of the Natyashastra. All evenings on the main stage are free.
The Chidambaram Natyanjali Trust chooses the evenings around Shivaratri and announces the programme one to two weeks ahead; Tamil Nadu Tourism lists it.
The legend
Nataraja is Shiva as the lord of dance. At Chidambaram he dances the Ananda Tandava, the dance of bliss, in the temple's golden hall.
Legend says the sages Patanjali and Vyaghrapada, the tiger-footed, longed so much to see the dance again that Shiva danced it for them here.
The Natyanjali festival began around 1981 as a modest event; it is now run by Tamil Nadu Tourism together with the Natyanjali Trust.
Customs
Shivaratri night
By tradition the festival opens on the night of Maha Shivaratri, and senior dance gurus perform on that night year after year.
Dance as an offering
Each evening dancers of many schools, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Mohiniyattam, take the stage by the temple and offer their dance to Nataraja.
Where to celebrate
Chidambaram
Five evenings of classical dance beside the Nataraja temple, traditionally opening on Maha Shivaratri night, with hundreds of dancers from across India and abroad on the Natyanjali Trust's stage.
What the evenings are like
Natyanjali means an offering of dance. Each evening dancers of different schools take the stage beside the Nataraja temple and dedicate their performance to Shiva as the lord of dance. Tamil Nadu Tourism lists Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Kathak and Odissi and Pung Cholam. Hundreds of dancers come from across India and abroad.
The main stage stands on the V.S. Trust grounds on South Car Street, just outside the temple, and performances begin in the early evening. All evenings on the Trust's stage are free. By tradition the opening night falls on Maha Shivaratri, when senior gurus perform. Recently the Dikshitars, the temple's hereditary priests, have also revived their own Natyanjali inside the temple complex.
Why Chidambaram
Chidambaram's Thillai Nataraja temple is the temple of Shiva as Nataraja, who by legend danced the Ananda Tandava, the dance of bliss, here. Its gateway towers carry reliefs of the 108 karanas, the dance movements described in the Natyashastra, the ancient treatise on the performing arts attributed to the sage Bharata. That makes the festival a performance in front of the very source its dancers learn from.
The festival began in 1981 as a low-profile event at the temple. It is now organised by the Natyanjali Trust with the Tamil Nadu Department of Tourism and the Union Ministry of Tourism, and Natyanjali evenings are also held at other temples in the state, including in Chennai, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai. In 2019 more than 7,000 dancers performed together at the Chidambaram temple for about 14 minutes, a Guinness world record.
How the dates are set
Natyanjali is held in the Tamil month of Masi (February to March) around Maha Shivaratri, which falls on 6 March 2027. Next: 6–10 March 2027 (expected). This is a projection: the Chidambaram Natyanjali Trust chooses the evenings and announces the programme only one to two weeks ahead. The festival has opened on Shivaratri night itself in some years and two evenings before it in others, so do not fix your travel until the programme is out.
Etiquette at the stage and in the temple
The stage is outside the temple, but many visitors also walk through the temple between performances.
- No flash — Do not use flash from the audience during performances.
- Dress for the temple — Inside the temple, shoes off, shoulders and knees covered.
- The Chit Sabha — The outer prakarams (enclosures) are open to all. Do not photograph the Chit Sabha, the inner hall.
- Shivaratri crowds — Shivaratri is the peak night at the temple and the stage. FCDO advises particular care during periods of religious significance.
Getting there and where to stay
One evening is enough to see the festival; two give you a second programme.
- Arrive by the afternoon
For the Shivaratri night, arrive by the afternoon of Shivaratri.
- Stay in Chidambaram or Puducherry
Chidambaram's hotels are few and modest; book about a month ahead. Many visitors stay in Puducherry, about 65 km away, and drive in for the evenings.
- By train
Chidambaram station is on the Chennai–Trichy line, a short auto-rickshaw ride from the temple. Book trains about a month ahead.
- More dance and Shivaratri
Another dance festival in Tamil Nadu is the Mamallapuram Dance Festival. More on the night itself on our Maha Shivaratri page and on Shiva.
FAQ
When is the Natyanjali dance festival?
Next: 6–10 March 2027 (expected), around Maha Shivaratri in the Tamil month of Masi. The Natyanjali Trust confirms the evenings one to two weeks ahead.
Where is the Natyanjali festival held?
At Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu, on a stage on South Car Street just outside the Thillai Nataraja temple. Natyanjali evenings are also held at other temples, including in Chennai, Thanjavur and Kumbakonam.
Is entry to Natyanjali free?
Yes, all evenings on the Natyanjali Trust's stage are free.
Which dances are performed at Natyanjali?
Classical dance of many schools: Tamil Nadu Tourism lists Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Kathak, Odissi and Pung Cholam.
Why is Natyanjali held at Chidambaram?
Chidambaram's temple is dedicated to Shiva as Nataraja, the lord of dance, and its gateway towers carry reliefs of the 108 karanas, the dance movements of the Natyashastra.
Sources (4)
Facts checked: 21 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.