DHANURMASA THIRUVADHIRA ON 28th DECEMBER 2012."Thiruvathira" a very important festival for the malayalee woman especially for nairs and namboodris.In Tamilnadu it is Known as "Arudhra darshan".
The
Thiruvathira Festival falls in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December,
January).In 2012 Thiruvathira is on December 28. The festival is mainly
dedicated to Lord Shiva. The people of Kerala celebrate this festival
with great Joy and respect. Thiruvathira is essentially women's festival
and it is considered very auspicious to worship Lord Shiva on this day
and pray for conjugal harmony and marital bliss. The other very
interesting facet of the festival is the enchanting “Thiruvathirakkali”
dance performed by women on this day. Oonjalattom, swinging on an oonjal
(swing) is an item of amusement on this occasion. At night the women
keep vigil for Siva and perform Thiruvathira kali or Kaikottikali.
History&Significance:-
Thiruvathira
is being celebrated for ages now but there is no clear theory about the
origin of the festival. There are numerous myths associated with this
thiruvadhira fast. But the origin of this festival is obscure.
Some legends says that it is the birthday of Lord Shiva.
Some legends says that Lord Shiva merged all nine powers into him before initiation of creation, on this day.
Some legends says that Lord
Shiva’s return to the world after ending the harsh austerities and
tapas that he was performing after the death of Goddess Sati.
Some legends says that Parvathi performed rigorous penance to win the Lord Siva’s heart and after a long penance on the Thiruvathira day Lord Siva accepted her as his wife. Therefore, it is the holy day of marriage of God Shiva and Goddess Parvathi.
Some
legends say that it is the day when Kamadeva, the mythological God of
love was reborn. He burnt to ashes in the fatal flames of fire from the
third eye of Lord Siva. The Lord pardoned him, on request of Sree
Parvati and Rathidevi, later.
Another
legend associated with this festival is that in tune with Narada
Maharshi’s advice, Rukmini followed the fast following Sree Parvati, to
become Lord Krishna’s bride.
Another
legend associated with this festival is In accordance with Narada’s
advice, Gopikas in Vrindavanam also opted for Karthiyayani fast during
this dhanurmasa season. They longed to have Lord Krishna as their
husband, made an idol of Goddess Karthiyayani and prayed for a mandala
season. For this, Gopikas took early baths in river Kalindhi, singing
hymns and tapping on the water, splashing rhythmically; praising the
Lord. They conducted worship with flowers, submitted “naivedhyam” swinging
and fasting, which yielded result in merging of their spirits and souls
into the Lord on the moon lit night of Thiruvathira. Lord joined them
and with Lord as the centre; they danced on the banks of river Yamuna.
Gopikas attained eternal bliss on this thiruvadhira day. All these
rituals have later become the customs of Thiruvathira.
Another legend associated with this festival is Long ago during the Mahakalakalpa,
there was a severe war between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva
took an immobile form and from that emerged a Shiva Linga. As per
advice of Lord Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu paid homage to this Linga with
Omkaram and Panchakshari (OM NAMASHIVAYA). The Lord
Mahadeva emerged and blessed them both. From then, devotees who worship
the Lord on this Thiruvathira day receive immense blessings that are
most precious. As per shivapurana this thiruvadhira day is remarkable
than what is received by worshipping for over a year.
Whatever
might be the true legend; Thiruvathira is holy day and devotees worship
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, submitting them to seek their
blessings.
The
festival of Thiruvathira is extremely popular among the women of Kerala
and the Customs are based on age-old traditions. This festival begin a
week before, commencing from Aswathi. The second last day is Rohini. On
this day, fasting is done for overall welfare of the family and
wellbeing of all members. The previous day is Makayiram. On this day,
mothers observe fast for the well-being of their children. Married women
who have difficulties in conceiving fast and spent this day praying Lord. They long for blessings in the form of a kid of their own.
In some places the
previous day of thiruvadhira i.e. on the day of Makayiram, women/girls
put mehandi on the palms which is considered as highly auspicious. The
fact behind this ritual has a deeper significance. One such notion goes
that the darker the color of the Mehndi, the more her husband will love
her, and this darker colour indicates more love from her husband and
inlaws.
On
Arudra day, last day of the festive week, wife fast for the welfare of
her husband. This encompasses prayers for his life longevity,
togetherness, quick reunions or fame of their beloved husband; as the
case may be, which would ensure simultaneously long and happy married
life.
Celebration:-
Whatever
might be the true legend; Thiruvathira is holy day and devotees worship
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, submitting them to seek their
blessings.
The
festival of Thiruvathira is extremely popular among the women of Kerala
and the Customs are based on age-old traditions. This festival begin a
week before, commencing from Aswathi. The second last day is Rohini. On
this day, fasting is done for overall welfare of the family and
wellbeing of all members. The previous day is Makayiram. On this day,
mothers observe fast for the well-being of their children. Married women
who have difficulties in conceiving, have to fast and spent this day praying Lord. They long for blessings in the form of a kid of their own.
In some places the
previous day of thiruvadhira i.e. on the day of Makayiram, women/girls
put mehandi on the palms which is considered as highly auspicious. The
fact behind this ritual has a deeper significance. One such notion goes
that the darker the color of the Mehndi, the more her husband will love
her, and this darker colour indicates more love from her husband and
in laws.
On
Arudra day, last day of the festive week, wife fast for the welfare of
her husband. This encompasses prayers for his life longevity,
togetherness, quick reunions or fame of their beloved husband; as the
case may be, which would ensure simultaneously long and happy married
life.
However, there is no compulsion on any of these fasting whatsoever. In generally, the procedure is different from place to place.
My Mother's place is Kurrkampara, a small village of
kunnamkulam.In this place one most famous ancient shiva temple
"KANNESWARAN TEMPLE" is there which has background of more than 500
years. Here thiruvadhira and shivrathri are the major festivals that are
celebrated very grandly. My
mother use to tell her memories of her childhood, when all her
neighbour especially nairs and namboodiris will celebrate it very
grandly. Those days womenfolk
used to wake up as early as 3 AM and go in groups, singing thiruvadhira
songs, to bathe in the near by pond of the temple.After bathing rituals they
used to get ready to go to the siva temple
with offerings of ripe yellow bananas and tender coconuts. Only after
the pooja
at the temple would they partake of the tender coconut water and
bananas. Once back home the ladies partake of a meal of Puzhukku, koova
Paayasam, pappadam, Koorkakootu, and bananas.It is done very religiously
after first lighting the Nilavilakku (Traditional kerala oil Lamp). My mother always says that this thiruvadhira is basically a community get-together, forgetting the
daily grind of regular life and was much looked forward to by everyone.
Even in our
father's side "SREE PANTHALLUR SHIVA BHAGAVATHY KSHETRAM" Chowannur,
kunnamkulam, this thiruvadhira is celebrated grandly.In this temple a
grand traditional sadhya with variety of dishes will be arranged by the
temple authorities as a celebration of thiruvadhira.
How to do thiruvadhira:-
Since childhood I learnt that lord shiva likes Maha pradosh pooja and thiruvadhira pooja very much. My amma especially says that this thiruvadhira is celebrated by nairs and nambhodhiris not for Ezhavas/thiyyas. But as for me worshipping god in any form is a true blessing so I will follow/love to follow the traditional poojas, as my policy is to follow noble thoughts from all directions. When comming to method of doing this fast on this thiruvadhira day waking up by 4 A.M, after bath, have to visit
Shiva temple at early hours, if possible before sunrise. This is Arudra Darshan.
Unmarried girls fast on Thiruvathira aspiring for a compatible groom in
future. Married woman fast on thiruvathira with a faith that it would bring long life to the husband and thereby prosperity and good life to the family. No food or drink till will be taken till the completion of 24-hours. Generally those who can’t fast fully can take tender coconut. Other items of their food include plantain fruits, tender coconuts, wheat etc. Once again I am reminding that the procedure is different from place to place.
While
there are many festivals in India during which women fast for the
welfare of her husband, this Thiruvadhira fast is observe for the lord
Shiva. Lord Shiva is the god, to whom most
Hindus turn to for good spouse and for a harmonious family life. Of all
the gods of the Hindu pantheon, it is Shiva
and Parvati who have the ideal family life. There are many stories of
Shiva's passion and devotion for Parvati and their harmonious
relationship. It is believed that those people who observe fast on this
Thiruvadira day will have their desires
fulfilled and will be blessed with Good family life and wisdom. In some
areas, on this Thiruvadira day single girls keep fast for an ideal
husband because Hindu mythology tells us that Parvati, Shiva's consort, won him over by meditation and fasting. This vratam is considered quite auspicious to please the God. This fast is called the King of fasts in Hindu Mythology.
Let me add a real incident happened during british rule about worshipping lord shiva which i read in a mythological book;-
In
1879, when there was British Rule in India, Lt. Col. Martin of Agar
Malva was leading the army in the war against Afghanistan.
Col. Martin used to regularly send messages of his well-being to his wife. The war continued for long & Lady Martin stopped getting messages. She was very upset.
Once riding on her horse, she passed by the temple of Baijnath Mahadev. She was attracted to the sound of Conch & Mantra. She went inside & came to know that the Brahmans were worshipping Lord Shiva. They saw her sad face & asked her problem. She explained everything to them. They told her that Lord Shiva listens to the prayers of devotees & takes them out of difficult situations in no time.
With the advice of the Brahmans, she started the "Laghu-rudri Anushtthan" of the Mantra: "Om Namah Shivaya" for 11 days. She prayed to Lord Shiva that if her husband reaches home safely, then she would get the temple renovated.
On the last of the "Laghu-rudri", a messenger came & gave a letter to her. Her husband had written: "I was regularly sending messages to you from the battle grounds, but suddenly the Pathans surrounded us from all sides. We were entrapped in a situation where there was no scope of escaping death. Suddenly, I saw a Yogi of India with long hair, carrying a weapon with three pointers (Trishul). His personality was amazing & he was maneuvering his weapon with a magnificent style. Seeing this great man, the Pathans started running back. With his grace, our bad times turned into moments of victory. This was possible only because of that man of India wearing a lion skin & carrying a three-pointer weapon (Trishul). That great Yogi told me that I should not worry & that he had come to rescue me because he was very pleased with my wife's prayers"
Tears of joy were falling down the eyes of Lady Martin's eyes while reading the letter. Her heart was overwhelmed. She fell into the feet of Lord Shiva's statue & burst in tears.
After a few weeks, Col. Martin returned. Lady Martin narrated the whole incident to him. Now both husband & wife became devotees of Lord Shiva. In 1883, they donated Rs. 15,000/- for renovating the temple. The information engraved slab for the same is still there in the Baijnath Mahadev Temple of Agar Malva. This is the only Hindu temple built by British.
Col. Martin used to regularly send messages of his well-being to his wife. The war continued for long & Lady Martin stopped getting messages. She was very upset.
Once riding on her horse, she passed by the temple of Baijnath Mahadev. She was attracted to the sound of Conch & Mantra. She went inside & came to know that the Brahmans were worshipping Lord Shiva. They saw her sad face & asked her problem. She explained everything to them. They told her that Lord Shiva listens to the prayers of devotees & takes them out of difficult situations in no time.
With the advice of the Brahmans, she started the "Laghu-rudri Anushtthan" of the Mantra: "Om Namah Shivaya" for 11 days. She prayed to Lord Shiva that if her husband reaches home safely, then she would get the temple renovated.
On the last of the "Laghu-rudri", a messenger came & gave a letter to her. Her husband had written: "I was regularly sending messages to you from the battle grounds, but suddenly the Pathans surrounded us from all sides. We were entrapped in a situation where there was no scope of escaping death. Suddenly, I saw a Yogi of India with long hair, carrying a weapon with three pointers (Trishul). His personality was amazing & he was maneuvering his weapon with a magnificent style. Seeing this great man, the Pathans started running back. With his grace, our bad times turned into moments of victory. This was possible only because of that man of India wearing a lion skin & carrying a three-pointer weapon (Trishul). That great Yogi told me that I should not worry & that he had come to rescue me because he was very pleased with my wife's prayers"
Tears of joy were falling down the eyes of Lady Martin's eyes while reading the letter. Her heart was overwhelmed. She fell into the feet of Lord Shiva's statue & burst in tears.
After a few weeks, Col. Martin returned. Lady Martin narrated the whole incident to him. Now both husband & wife became devotees of Lord Shiva. In 1883, they donated Rs. 15,000/- for renovating the temple. The information engraved slab for the same is still there in the Baijnath Mahadev Temple of Agar Malva. This is the only Hindu temple built by British.
Lord Shiva is
the god, to whom most Hindus turn to for good spouse and for a harmonious
family life; especially women worship him for the welfare of the family. So on this
special day pray him with full heart and definitely he will hear our prayers.
My appeal to all malayalees is please don’t forget our culture
and cultural significance. In the name of civilization many people are
forgetting their culture. The celebrations which ought to have celebrated in
homes are celebrating as a show. These days each and every festival like onam
and vishu are celebrating in samithis, hotels etc and very few people are
celebrating at home. These days most of
the enjoyment of celebrations is cut off, my amma is highly dissatisfied with
the way festivals are celebrated these days. Onam celebrations in hotels and
samithis and thiruvaathirakkali is mostly restricted to school and college
stages, just for as a part of a competition.
On last year thiruvadhira I received a mail from a keralite asking me a question the mail is (shaija dear... In this busy schedule life who on
earth wants to wake up at 3 A.m, doing pooja, going to temple and above all who
will have the time to prepare elaborate dishes like koova paayasam and puzhuku
when a whole load of work at office is pending).
And
for onam 2012 wishes i received a mail from a man expressing his sorrow
stating that many of the housewives who are working and non working not
celebrating onam in thier locality as per our tradition.Instead of cooking food in house they are ordering food from out side and thier are busy with thier television programmes.If present people are like this means what will happen to future generation?
My
achan always tells us that “vanna vazhi markkan Padilla” (Meaning :we
should not forget the way we came.It applies to all financial
background, cultural background all). Man’s control of external nature is called
civilization. His control of internal nature is called culture. Our culture is deep and
beautiful. We must learn to admire and respect the same. Instead of
mechanically following the customs, if we try to understand their significance
we learn there is logic, science, social as well as spiritual significance in
many of them. We must make an effort to follow the practical aspects which are
suitable for the modern, technological age, at the same time remembering that
we must not lose our roots completely. Our culture is highly adaptable and rejuvenates
itself. By culture, we also mean a kind of refinement in words, thought and
action. This cannot be taught, but has to be imbibed! The rich values in a person always remain
unchanged if they are deeply rooted within our hearts, mind, body and soul
which we receive from our culture. Even
though many have accepted modern means of living, improved lifestyle, a person
can change his everything viz., way of clothing, way of eating and living and
etc. but values and good beliefs should not be changed. The inner beauty of a person cannot be judged by
his or her external appearance or educational qualifications. It is best judged
by the refinement of character which we can call the person's culture. We need
both spiritual culture and materialistic cultures in our life.All festivals and celebrations in those
days, was not just a ritual to follow. It was interlinked with a lot of other
traditions and held a different sort of charm which has totally disappeared
along with time. I am not complaining and neither am i lamenting the fact.
Change is a way of life and the sooner we adapt to it, the better. But
tomorrow, as another generation comes by; we can't help thinking about those
carefree bygone days which our future generation can never experience nor enjoy.So please follow our culture.
I am an average/Seedha saadha malayalee
living out side of the kerala, still manage to visit temples, and fasts as
per rituals, in my own ways. After all, one should not forget their traditions
altogether, isn't it? I always pray god to give me a life as to pray him always in all situations that even in the midst of my daily
hectic schedules, untill my last breath.Dedicating this post to My amma, beena chechi, and chitra Aunty.
Karmajam Vaa; Shravana Nayanajam Vaa;
Manasam Vaa Aparadham; Vihithama
Vihitham Vaa; Sarva Medha Kshamasvaa;
Jaya Jaya Karunabdhey ; Shree Mahadeva Shambo
Meaning: Oh Lord!
Please forgive me for all the wrong actions that I have commited
knowingly or unknowingly with my hands, feet, speech, body, ears, eyes
and mind. Victory to you, Oh Lord of compassion and Mercy.
courtesy: Pictures from websites.
Significance from jyothisya ratnam.
Story from a spiritual book.
