Karadaiyar Nombu
On the day of Karadaiyan Nombu, women worship Goddess Gowri and pray for longevity and welfare of their husband. Through this festival women try to emulate the devotion of Savithri and her love for her husband, Satyavan. Her bhakti to Goddess Gowri gave her the strength and wisdom to win back her husband's life from Yaman, the Lord of Death. Among the many festivals of South India, Karadaiyan Nombu is more a renewal of the faith in the tradition.
Customs & Rituals
Karadaiyan Nonbu is observed on the day of the conjunction of the Tamil months Masi and Panguni. It is to remember the great battle won by Savithri - a mythological character - over the God of Death - Yama, not by arms or ammunitions but by her clever arguments to regain her husband's life. Married women observe fast till the auspicious time arrives, whether it is late evening or mid afternoon.
The fast for Karadayan Vritham is observed from sunrise on the transition day when God Surya moves from Kumbha Rashi to Meena Rashi. Fast breaking time for Savitri Nombu might fall any time between current day Sunrise to next day Sunrise depending on time of Meena Sankramana. Please note that duration of fast depends on local Sunrise and Sankramana moment and varies for all locations.
How to perform Karadayan Nombu Puja
On the day of Karadaiyan Nombu, women prepare a sweet prasadam known as Karadiyan Adai. Karadiyan Nombu Adai is specially prepared for the Karadayan pooja with rice flour, jaggery and a red coloured dry beans known as Kaaramani. After the Karadiyan Adai preparation it is time to start the Karadaiyan puja. All female members in the family will get ready to start the puja. Kolams (rangoli) will be drawn by all ladies in front of the pooja place and a banana leaf will be placed on each kolam. The women in the family perform the nivedyam after placing one sweet Karadai, one Kozhukkattai, a blob of fresh butter, two bananas, arali flowers, betel leaves and nuts, and the most important Nombu Charadu. Nonbu Charadu or Manjal Saradu is a sacred yellow cotton thread dipped in turmeric paste and tied in the middle with some flower. The puja starts and the naivedyam is offered to Goddess Gowri (Kamakshi) or Goddess Shakti. While offering the women chant this mantra:
"Urugada Vennaiyum Oradaiyum Naan Tharuven
Orukaalum En Kanavar Ennai Piriyadirukkanum"
After performing the puja the Nombu Charadu is tied around the neck. While wearing the Nombu Charadu, women chant this sloka:
"Throram Krishhnami Subhake Saharithamdharami Aham
Bharthuayushya Sidhartham Supreethabhava Sarvadha."
After wearing the sacred yellow cotton string the prasadam is taken by the offerers. The manjal saradu will not be removed until the next Karadaiyan Nombu ritual. Following the tradition of Kaaradayan Nombu every year is believed to attain Dheerga Sowmangalyam (a long married life).
Karadaiyar Nombu Dates for 2013
Hawaii: March 14th 2013. Fasting from March 13th. Puja at around 2:00 AM on 14th morning.
USA/PST: March 14th 2013. Fasting from March 13th. Puja at around 4:00 AM on 14th morning.
USA/MST: March 14th 2013. Fasting from March 13th. Puja at around 5:00 AM on 14th morning.
USA/CST: March 14th 2013. Puja at 6:00 AM in the morning.
USA/EST: March 14th 2013. Puja at 7:00 AM in the morning.
UK: March 14th 2013. Puja at 11:00 AM in the morning.
India: March 14th 2013. Puja at 4:30 PM.
Malaysia: March 14th 2013. Puja at 7:00 PM.
Australia -- WAU: March 14th 2013. Puja at 7:00 PM.
Australia -- SAU: March 14th 2013. Puja at 9:00 PM.
Australia -- NT: March 14th 2013. Puja at 8:30 PM.
Australia -- QSLND: March 14th 2013. Puja at 9:00 PM.
Australia -- NSW: March 14th 2013. Puja at 10:00 PM.
Australia -- ACT: March 14th 2013. Puja at 10:00 PM.
Newzeland: March 14th 2013. Puja at 00:00 AM on 15th morning.
Fiji: March 14th 2013. Puja at 11:00 PM.
for more accurate dates and times please visit your city here and then look for times when the Sun enters Mina rashi and do puja few minutes before.
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