What is Natyanjali?
Natyanjali means ‘an offering through dance’. The festival began at the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple in 1981 as a small, low-key event and has grown into one of India’s best-known classical dance festivals. It is organised by the Chidambaram Natyanjali Trust.
It fits the place perfectly: Chidambaram is where Shiva is worshipped as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, and the temple’s eastern and western gopurams are carved with the 108 karanas (dance postures) of the Natya Shastra. Dancers perform as an offering to the deity rather than as a ticketed show.
When is Natyanjali 2027?
The festival runs for five days during Maha Shivaratri. The Natyanjali Trust lists the 46th festival for the first week of March 2027, and panchangams give Maha Shivaratri 2027 as Saturday, 6 March 2027. The Shivaratri night itself is usually the high point, with senior dancers performing late into the night.
The exact start date and the daily programme are announced by the trust closer to the festival. Check natyanjalichidambaram.com before you finalise travel.
What you’ll see
Over the five days, hundreds of dancers — from young students to well-known artists — perform one after another, mostly in the evenings. Alongside Bharatanatyam you can see Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Odissi, Kathak and other classical forms.
Because each performer has a short slot, you see a wide variety of styles in one evening. Natyanjali has since spread to other temples in Tamil Nadu, but Chidambaram is where it began.
Tips for visiting
- Book your stay early. Maha Shivaratri and Natyanjali bring dancers, families and devotees to Chidambaram at the same time, and rooms fill up.
- Go in the evening and stay late. Performances continue through the evening, and Shivaratri night is the busiest and most special.
- Carry a shawl or cushion and some water; you may sit on the stone floor for a long time.
- Dress traditionally if you also plan to visit the shrine for darshan, and follow the temple’s photography rules.
- Park outside the core area on Shivaratri night and walk in; the car streets get crowded.
- Dancers and their families: after a late performance, a private flat with your own kitchen is easier than a hotel room for rehearsing, changing and resting.
Where to stay for Natyanjali
Bharathi Homestay is in Bhuvanagiri, about 8.5 km (around 15 minutes) from the Nataraja Temple. Each flat is an entire air-conditioned 2BHK — useful for dance troupes, teachers with students, and families travelling together — with free parking and kitchens in some flats.
Call or WhatsApp us early to check availability for the festival dates in early March 2027. For more on the temple itself, read our Nataraja Temple guide.
Dates and timings checked on 3 November 2026 from published panchangams and temple listings. Festival schedules are set by the temple and can change; please confirm locally.
