Karadaiyan Nombu is also known as Savitri Nombu Vritham. This year it falls on March 15^h. It is an important festival for married women in the state of Tamil Nadu and other regions of South India. On this day, women offer prayers for the longevity and also well being of their husbands. Karadaiyan Nombu is observed on the day when the transition takes place between two Tamil months, namely, Panguni and Massi. It is observed at the exact time when month of Massi ends and the month of Panguni begins. Women observe a strict fast on this day and special feast is prepared on this occasion.

Married women observe this for long lives of their husband while unmarried girls observe to get ideal person as their husband. On this day married women and young girls wear yellow robes and pray to Goddesses.
The fasting for Karadaiyan Nombu is observed from sunrise on the transition day when Sun God moves from Kumbha Rashi to Meena Rashi. Fast breaking time might fall any time between current days Sunrise to next day Sunrise depending on time of Meena Sankramana.

Manjal Saradu is tied at the moment when Masi Masam ends and Panguni Masam starts. Meena Sankramana might occur at any time during the day and many times it occurs after midnight which might not be convenient time to perform Puja rituals. However Puja for Karadi Nombu and other rituals are observed at the exact time when Meena Sankramana occurs.

Rituals during Karadaiyan Nombu:

• Fasting is an important ritual on the day of Karadaiyan Nombu. Married women observe a fast from the time of getting up. The fast is broken after completing the puja rituals.
• On this day they worship Goddess Gowri and offer the Karadaiyan Nombu and offer Naivedyam (Offering) to please the Goddess. Special mantras are chanted at the time of offering the Karadai to Goddess Gowri. The puja of Karadaiyan Nombu is performed at the specific time when Massi month ends and the month of Panguni just begins.
• On Karadaiyan Nombu wearing the yellow colored thread, referred as ‘Karadai Nombu Saradu’ around the neck. A small flower is also tied to this yellow thread. This thread is tied for the well-being of husbands.
• Women also decorate their houses with kolam (drawing outside the home) on this day.

Karadaiyan Nombu is done in remembrance of ‘Satyvan-Savitri’ story. Savitri was a princess who with her utmost devotion towards her husband, Satyvan, saved him from the clutches of death. This story is very popular in India and there are few other Hindu festivals based on this legend, such as ‘Vat Savitri Puja’.

It is believed that Savitri got her husband Satyavan from Yama, on the very same day. Due to this legend Karadaiyan Nombu is also known as Savithri Vratam. On Karadayan Nonbu day women worship Goddess Gowri and offer her Karadiyan Nombu Nivedyam. After Puja is finished women tie the sacred yellow cotton thread known as Manjal Saradu or for well-being of their husband.

May Matha Gowri and Matha Maha Laxmi bless each one of you and your family members with great health, Wealth, Prosperity and Long life filled with joy and peace.