Thiruvathira Festival
The festival falls on the asterism Thiruvathira in the Malayalam month of Dhanu
(December-January). On thiruvathira morning, devotees throng Shiva temples for
an early worship which is reckoned as highly auspicious.
Tradition says thiruvathira is celebrating the death of Kamadeva, the mythological
God of Love. According to another version, Thiruvathira is the birthday of
Lord Shiva. The festival has similarities to adra darshan celebrated in Tamil
Nadu.
On the festival day, women discard rice meal, but only take preparations
of chama (panicum miliaceum) or wheat. The day's menu include plantain fruits
and tender coconuts. They chew betel and redden their lips. A custom that
women should chew 108 betel on the day had prevailed among Namboodiris, Ambalavasis
(temple-servants) and Nairs ( all Hindu communities). The first thiruvathira
after the marriage of a girl is known as puthenthiruvathira or poothiruvathira(
new thiruvathira). Oonjalattom, (swinging on an oonjal (swing) is another
amusement women engage themselves with. During the chilly night, women keep
vigil for God Shiva and stage Thiruvathirakali, a bewitching dance form.
Pretty girls in traditional attire circle around a lighted brass lamp, and
step to the rhythm of the songs they sing, clapping their hands.
Pathirappoochoodal,( wearing of flowers at midnight) is still prevalent among
women belonging to Namboodiri, Ambalavasis (temple servants) and Nair communities.
That thiruvathira is still being celebrated with pomp vouch for the enviable
position Kerala women enjoyed in the society. The status she occupied at home
and in the society had influenced the state's social structure, customs and
religious practices.
Festivals in Kerala
Onam || Sabarimala
Festival || Nehru
Trophy Boat Race || Aaranmula
Boat Race || Cochin
Carnival || Muharram
|| Malabar Mahotsavam
|| Swathi Festival
|| Aarattu || Jagannatha
Festival || Aattachamayam
|| Indira Gandhi
Boat Race || Thirunakara
Festival || Vettukadu
Perunal || Nisha
Gandhi Dance Festival || Oachirakkali
|| Easter || Thrissur
Puram || Aranmula
Uthrittathi || Chittur
Konganpada || Maramon
Convention || Nellikulangara
Vallanghi Vela || Thiruvathira
Festival || Oaachira
Kettukazhcha || Nilamperoor
Padayani || Ramadan
|| Makaravillakku
at Sabarimala || Kerala
Village fair || Kalapathy
Chariot Festival ( Ratholsav )
