Karadayan Nombu

During Karadayan Nombu women invoke the blessings of Goddess Gowri to obtain an ideal husband during all seven births. He who will understand her when she is happy, sad, worried, afraid.While unmarried girls pray to get a good husband, married women pray for their husband's long life.



Story behind Karadayan Nombu:
The story behind this festival is said to be that of Sati-Savithri.
Savithri was born as the daughter of King Asrapathi. When she was asked who she wished to marry, she pointed to Sathyavan, who lived in the forest. Sage Narada warned her that Satyavan would die within a year of marriage, but still she married him.
During her life in the jungle, Savithri began to pray for her husband's life. Her offerings were durwa grass and peepal leaves.She performed offerings and neivedhyam with wild rice and thuar dal. We in our houses during this Nombu, use the same, what we call as kaara arisi and thuvaram parrupu that is why this festival is known as karadayan nombu.

When the last day of Sathayavan dawned, Lord of death Yama came promptly to take his life away. But since Yama was pleased with her nombu, he wanted to grant her a boon, with the condition that she shouldn't ask for her husband's life. Savithri expressed her desire to be the mother of100 children. Yama realized that in order to grant Savithri's wish he would have spare Sathyavan's life.So he granted her wish to honor her courage and devotion to her husband. So this Karayadan Nombu saved and protected her husband.

Prayers are offered to Goddess Devi in all forms and women think about Savitiri and wear a yellow thread round their necks they chant the following sloka

Sanskrit Sloka:
Throram Krishhnami subhake saharitham Dharami aham bharthu Ayushya Sidhartham supreethabhava sarvadha

Tamil Sloka:
Urukaddha Venneyum oradhayam naan nootren Orukkalum en kanavar ennai vittu pririyadhirukka vendum

Timing:
Nombu has to be finished in the month Maasi and before the beginning of the month of Panguni which happens on the same day March 14th 9:14 a.m. The time for the nombu is specified as 7:30 - 8:30 a.m

Neivedhyam:
Neivedhyam consists of Adai made out of rice and butter, and adai made of rice and jaggery also, along with butter kept seperately.
Vethalai paaku pazham is also offered to the Goddess.