Karadaiyan Nombu 2023 Date, Time, Rituals, and Significance
Karadaiyan Nombu is a Hindu fasting event during which married Tamil ladies pray for the health and life of their husbands. Tradition dictates that this Nombu will be conducted precisely when the Tamil month of Maasi finishes and the subsequent month of Panguni begins.
On this day, Sathi Savithri fought with Yama to save her husband’s life, which is the reason for this fast. Similarly, married ladies fast for the longevity of their husbands on this auspicious day.
This nonbu is distinguished by its nivedyam. Karadaiyan Nombu Adai with butter, betel leaves (vetrilai), arecanut (pakku), banana (pazham), and coconut are the nivedyam of this fast. The female household members wear yellow strings. A little flower is strung on each string; one string is worn on the Kamakshi amman portrait, while the other strings are worn by the women of the home.
Karadaiyan Nombu Date 2023
Wednesday, 15th of March 2023
Rituals of Karadaiyan Nombu
- On the day of Karadaiyan Nombu, fasting or vratam is an essential observance. From the time of awakening, married women follow a fast.
- The fast is broken once the puja ceremonies have been completed. Women violate their vratam by consuming the distinctive Karadai dish with butter. In the late afternoon or evening, the fats are broken.
- On Karadaiyan Nombu, a particular naivedya known as Karadai Nombu Adai is cooked. According to mythical accounts, Savitri created this particular dish and served it with unmelted butter to Lord Yama, the Hindu God of Death, as a sign of gratitude for restoring Satyvan’s life.
- On this day, women worship the goddess Gowri and present her the Karadaiyan Nombu Naivedyam. During the offering of the Karadai to Goddess Gowri, special mantras are chanted. Karadaiyan Nombu is performed at the precise moment that the month of Massi finishes and the month of Panguni begins.
- Another prominent Karadaiyan Nombu rite is the wearing of the yellow thread known as ‘Karadai Nombu Saradu’ around the neck. Additionally, a little flower is connected to this yellow thread. This thread is tied for the husbands’ well-being.
- On this day, women also decorate their homes with kolam.
Significance of Karadaiyan Nombu
Karadaiyan Nombu is an important ceremony observed primarily by married women in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. The term ‘Karadai’ refers to a specific naivedya (holy dish), whereas ‘nombu’ refers to upvasam or vratam. Karadaiyan Nombu is observed in honour of the ‘Satyvan-Savitri’ narrative. According to the traditions, Savitri was a princess who saved her spouse Satyvan from the jaws of death via her extreme devotion to him. This mythology is the basis for a number of Hindu celebrations, including “Vat Savitri Puja.” The festival of Karadaiyan Nombu is held by married women for the prosperity and longevity of their husbands, while unmarried ladies observe it in order to find a suitable partner.