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About Karadaiyan Nombu

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About Karadaiyan Nombu

Karadaiyan Nombu is a Tamil vow (nombu) kept by married women for the long life and well-being of their husbands and families. It is observed at the moment the Tamil month of Masi ends and Panguni begins, in mid-March.

It remembers Savitri, who by her love and faith won back the life of her husband Satyavan. Women fast, offer the Goddess a special adai called karadai with unmelted butter, and tie a sacred yellow thread around the neck at the auspicious time.

Both sweet and salt karadai are made, shared with the family and given to guests. Many unmarried girls also keep the vow for a good marriage.

  • Maasi-Panguni change (March)
  • Story of Savitri
  • Kozhukattai adai and butter
  • Tamil homes

Where it began

Karadai is the steamed cake offered on the day and nombu means a vow or fast. The vow is kept at the exact time one Tamil month ends and the next begins.

Legend says Savitri chose to marry Satyavan even though he was fated to die within a year. When Yama came for him, she followed and spoke with such wisdom that Yama returned his life.

One story tells that Savitri made an offering of rice cake and butter from what she had in the forest, which is why the same simple offering is made today.

A village temple among rice fields, where the vow's rice comes fromCheranmahadevi, Tamil Nadu

How it grew over time

  1. Ancient times

    The story of Savitri and Satyavan is told in the Mahabharata.

  2. Tamil tradition

    Tamil women kept the vow as Karadaiyan Nombu, tied to the change of month.

  3. Family custom

    Mothers taught daughters the prayer, the thread and the recipe for the adai.

  4. Today

    Women keep the vow at home in Tamil Nadu and around the world, at the timing set in the almanac.

How it is celebrated in different places

  • Tamil Nadu

    Women fast until the set time, then tie the yellow thread and offer the adai.

  • Chennai and cities

    Families check the almanac for the exact time, which may come at night.

  • Sri Lanka

    Tamil women keep the vow with the same prayer and offering.

  • Tamil families abroad

    Women in Singapore, Malaysia, the US and UK keep the vow at home.

Karadaiyan Nombu moments

Steamed rice dumplings, close cousins of the karadaiTamil Nadu
A steamed rice cake on a banana leaf, made the old wayKozhikode, Kerala
A temple tower with the red and white striped wall of Tamil templesCheranmahadevi, Tamil Nadu

Karadaiyan Nombu today

Women make sweet and salty adai with rice flour and cowpeas, offer it with butter, and tie a yellow thread around their neck while saying a short prayer. Husbands and families share the cakes after the worship.

How people celebrate Karadaiyan Nombu

  • Fasting until the nombu time
  • Sweet and salt karadai with butter
  • Tying the yellow nombu thread
  • Prayers to the Goddess
  • Sharing karadai with guests

How to wish well

  • Send wishes in the morning or around the nombu time.
  • Long life, togetherness and blessings for the family suit the day.
  • "Karadaiyan Nombu Nalvazhthukal" is the usual greeting.

Questions about Karadaiyan Nombu

When is Karadaiyan Nombu 2027?

It is kept when the Tamil month of Masi ends and Panguni begins, usually 14 or 15 March. See the date shown on this page; check a local calendar for the exact nombu time.

Why is Karadaiyan Nombu observed?

It remembers Savitri, who won back her husband Satyavan's life by her devotion. Women pray for the long life of their husbands.

What is karadai?

A steamed cake of rice flour with jaggery and cowpeas (sweet) or with spices (salt), offered with unmelted butter.

What do you say on Karadaiyan Nombu?

"Happy Karadaiyan Nombu" or, in Tamil, "காரடையான் நோன்பு நல்வாழ்த்துகள்".

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