Natyanjali Dance Festival

Natyanjali Festival is an emblem of the religious beliefs of the people celebrated in Chidambaram located near the Chennai city. This annual festival is celebrated during the months of February and March in which the Hindu religious festival of Maha Shivaratri falls. This festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is the cosmic dancer known as Nataraj. This religious dance festival is held at the Prakara of the Chidambaram temple which is believed to be 1000 years old.

Natyanjali is a great extravaganza of the Chidambaram temple where dancers across the country come to showcase their talent. The temple’s pillars have 108 postures of Bharatnatyam of Lord Nataraj. The performers dance in the vicinity of the holy sanctum of Lord Shiva. The message delivered by this festival is Unity in Diversity.

Natyanjali Dance Festival is organized jointly by the Department of Tourism - Government of Tamil Nadu, and Natyanjali Trust - Chidambaram. This dance festival gained a respectable position in the cultural fabric of the city.