In the month of Makaram Thiruvathira Star is celebrated in Mathira Peedika Devi Temple, owned by Thiruvithamcore Devaswom Board, near Kadakkal in Kollam District of Kerala state.

Thiruvadirai – Arudra Darshan is celebrated in a grand manner in five sabhas of Nataraja, namely 1) Kanakasabha (Gold) – at Chidambaram (Tillai), 2) Velli Sabhai (Silver) at Madurai, 3) Ratnasabha (Ruby) at Tiruvalankadu, 4) Tamrasabha (Copper) at Tirunelveli, 5) Chitrasabha (Pictures) at Kutralam.

Soon after Pancha Murthi Ula in the afternoon Nataraja and Shivakami will bless devotees with Aarudra Darisanam and enter Kanaka Sabhai (Golden Sabha).

On the very day of Thiruvathirai the idols of Nataraja (Shiva) and his consort Shivagami (Parvati) are taken out of the temple premises for a grand procession.

In 4th Tirumurai he sang about the celebration in Tiruvarur[16][17] The cosmic dance of Shiva represents five activities – Creation, Protection, Destruction, Embodiment and Release.

[20][21][22] Arudhra (Thiruvathirai in Tamil) signifies the golden red flame and Shiva performs the dance in the form this red-flamed light.

In Chidambaram, The night before the full moon, abhishekam,[34] or holy shower, to the Shiva is performed with the nine most precious gems (navaratnam), including diamonds, coral, pearls, jade and emerald, among others.

The typical meal includes cooked broken wheat and Thiruvathira pulukku, a mix of tuber vegetables: colocasia, yam, Chinese potato, sweet potato with long beans and raw plantain fruit, cooked with a thick paste of freshly ground coconut.

The dessert is called koova payasam, a sweet dish made of arrow root powder, jaggery and coconut milk.

[37] The sinuous movements executed by the group of dancers around a nilavilakku embody lasya or the amorous charm and grace of the feminine.

In ancient times, women use to perform this dance in their homes during festivals and functions, giving it the Malayalam name aka Kaikottikali: aka-inside + kaikottikali-play clapping hands.

A group of women dressed in typical Kerala style with mundu and neriyathu and the hair bun adorned with jasmine garlands perform this dance during festival seasons.

The event was organised by Twenty20Kizhakkambalam, the CSR wing of the Kitex Group, along with Chavara Cultural Centre and the Parvanendu School of Thiruvathira.

The previous Guinness Record for largest Kaikottikkali dance performance set on 2 February 2015 with 5211 women led by Smt.

In the true Onam Spirit, 2639 women including Keralites, Maharashtrians, Gujarathis, Bengalees, Tamilians, Telugu, Kannadigas and others from all parts of the country representing all religions danced to the tunes of specially written songs.

[40] On 14 December 2013, over 3000 women participated in a Thiruvathira Kali event held at Kochi and attempted to set a new world record.