In essence, it represents the continuous cycle of creation and destruction. This cosmic dance takes place in every particle and is the source of all energy.

This pic with the words"The cosmic dance of Lord Shiva represents five activities – Creation, Protection, Destruction, Embodiment and Liberation. In essence, it represents the continuous cycle of creation and destruction. This cosmic dance takes place in every particle and is the source of all energy.

Thiruvathira is essentially a Shaivite festival and celebrates the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva, specially the dance of creation,, the Ananda tandavam,,, which is represented by the Nataraja form.

Arudhra (Thiruvathirai in Tamil) signifies the golden red flame and Shiva performs the dance in the form of this red-flamed light. Lord Shiva is supposed to be incarnated in the form of Lord Nataraja during the Arudra Darshan day. I.e. today.

Rudra is known as destruction...actually Rudra is mobility.

Arudra is considered as immobility....i.e. stability.

The month of Margashirsha is very auspicious, as one can attain stability..to become fully mobile on the spiritual path.

In Kerala, the festival is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Shiva.

Thiruvathira is the nakshatra or "star" of Lord Shiva.
Another belief is that the festival commemorates the death of Kamadeva, the Hindu god of erotic desire.

It is believed that on this day, the Goddess Parvati finally met Lord Shiva after her long penance and Lord Shiva took her as a saha-dharma chaarini (equal partner).

Both Parvati and Shiva then presented this ideal to devotees in the form of Ardhanarishwara (half male, half female form)