Shiva and Ardra

Vidyeshwara Samhita of Shiva Purana mentions that worship of Shiva is especially significant during:

- Ardra Nakshatra or MahaArdra of that of aśvin kṛśṇa caturdaśī;

- MahaArdra of jyeṣṭha caturdaśī;

- Ardra Nakshatra of any tithi of margaśīrṣa.

The period of Ardra Nakshatra (Moon transiting Ardra Nakshatra) comes at least once in a solar month.

MahaArdra is the period of Ardra Nakshatra coinciding with Surya Sankranti (transit of Sun from one zodiac sign / rasi to next).

According to Vidyeshvara Samhita, Shiva appeared as a Pillar/Column of Light in the month of margaśīrṣa during the period of Ardra Nakshatra.:

यत्पुनः स्तम्भरूपेण स्वाविरासमहं पुरा।

स कालो मार्गशीर्षे तु स्यादार्द्राऋक्षमर्भकौ॥

Shiva says (Ref: Vidyeshvara Samhita, Shiva Purana) that whosover sees me and Uma on this day and seeks (refuge in) my insignia is dearer to me than even Guha (Kartikeya, Shiva’s son):

आर्द्रार्यां मार्गशीर्षे तु यः पश्येमामुमासखम्।

मद्वेरमपि वा लिङ्गं स गुहादपि मे प्रियः॥

Ardra-Darshana is observed during the month of margaśīrṣa during the period of Ardra Nakshatra.