From The Anklets Of A Dancer

Salangai Pooja is a first stage performance, performed by a group or single (solo performance) by students who have learned all 108 adavus (Basic steps that all classical dancer must know) and 5-7 basic songs. (This depends on your teacher/guru/master). During Salangai pooja, prayers is done by placing the salangai in from of Lord Nadaraja to get his blessing (Any other god is also acceptable). The salangai will be tied by the dancers respective gurus and the dancers will perform live for the first time in front of thousands of audience. After the salangai pooja is completed, the dancers exit from beginner stage and proceed to advanced level to prepare themselves for arengetram.The dancers can now also start performing in stages and temples.

Before the salangai pooja, dancers are not allowed to tie the salangai nor perform in front of large crowds. Costs to do a salangai pooja and arengetram depends on how grand you want it to be. Most of the dancers will do their salangai pooja simple and very grand for their arengetram.