A fast and feast undertaken by women for the sake of their husbands—
By kalav56
@kalav56 (11464)
India
March 13, 2012 9:38am CST
In our community, we have a traditional function named ‘Kaaradayan Nonbu’. This falls on the Tamil month of Masi [which normally coincides on March 14th] plus Panguni [the transition of Masi to Panguni...
All married women fast on this day, and exactly when the month of Masi is to be over and Panguni is to occur, they wear a yellow coloured thread, after saying a small prayer. This time varies from year to year because our calendar determines this according to astronomical movements of the sun.
This is in the tradition of Savitri, who according to legend is a woman who rescued her husband from the clutches of Yama [the Lord of death]by following him to the underworld.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savitri_and_Satyavan
After the fast is over mouthwatering sweet balls of rice flour and jaggery are made, offered to God and of course the devoted wives have it saying
I am completing my fast with sweet rice balls and unmelted butter.
I pray my husband never leaves me ever” and wear the sacred yellow thread round their necks.
If the time specified in our calendar is in the evening or night they fast through the day and then break their fast.
This is considered to be a very important fast.
I just wanted to share this with all of you .Do share your views and own experiences.
1 person likes this
10 responses
@jennyze (7029)
• Indonesia
20 Mar 12
Okay, when I have a husband maybe I can do this so he would not leave me...
A tradition is unique and sometimes it does not make sense I think tradition was created based on some happenings, it valid at the time but it may be outdated at other times. However outdated, a tradition is a good tool to unite people and give hope to the weak and people in troubles.
A tradition is unique and sometimes it does not make sense I think tradition was created based on some happenings, it valid at the time but it may be outdated at other times. However outdated, a tradition is a good tool to unite people and give hope to the weak and people in troubles.1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
14 Mar 12
Dear Kalav
Of course, that is a great tradition and being from Orissa India, though we have a different name for this(we call it Savitri Amawasya), this tradition is followed nearly the same way as you have described.
Though I dont see any reason, but as many Indian Customs and Traditions are this way, I cannot object and have to stay without food - I dont feel like eating when my wife fasts for me. Though I have told her about this, but it is her wish and I abide and respect her wishes.
The best part for me here is the food after the whole day of fasting. Normally, after the Pooja in the evening, we have lighter food and I love dining with her this special day (other special days too, but this seems to be more important)
Of course, that is a great tradition and being from Orissa India, though we have a different name for this(we call it Savitri Amawasya), this tradition is followed nearly the same way as you have described.
Though I dont see any reason, but as many Indian Customs and Traditions are this way, I cannot object and have to stay without food - I dont feel like eating when my wife fasts for me. Though I have told her about this, but it is her wish and I abide and respect her wishes.
The best part for me here is the food after the whole day of fasting. Normally, after the Pooja in the evening, we have lighter food and I love dining with her this special day (other special days too, but this seems to be more important)@kalav56 (11464)
• India
14 Mar 12
What a sweet romantic response as befitting the devotion of the fast itself. 
You can eat thesids ; it will add to the intensity of her prayers/.Your good intentions and sweet thoughts are more than enough for her.She would not like you to fast along with her.It is only the duty of wives because w e hold our mangalsutra in great awe and importance.
You can eat thesids ; it will add to the intensity of her prayers/.Your good intentions and sweet thoughts are more than enough for her.She would not like you to fast along with her.It is only the duty of wives because w e hold our mangalsutra in great awe and importance.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
14 Mar 12
I don't think we have anything like that around here! Occasionally westerners fast for reasons of health, but I've never met anyone living in this part of the world who fasts for religious reasons. A few do it in protest of something, like if they think they have been imprisoned unfairly or that sort of thing, but that, I think, is an idea they borrowed from thinkers in your part of the world.
1 person likes this
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
22 Mar 12
In our country, a lot of importance is given to the longevity of the husbands.It is a tradition where women wear their mangal sutra round their necks symbolising the sanctity[it is like your wedding ring but is worn only by the woman ]of their wedding vows.A priest chants prayers and mantras in the presence of fire God and the groom ties/fastens[I cannot find an apt word] this yellow thread round her neck.A lot of importance is attached to this.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
14 Mar 12
Kala, thanks a lot for sharing all the details about this custom...In Mangalore we do not have any such customs, in fact most festivals celebrated elsewhere in Karnataka too are not followed here except the major ones like Krishna Ashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Deepavali,Nagara Panchami and Ugadi.We also have some which are locally celebrated...
@marguicha (215428)
• Chile
13 Mar 12
I love the many traditions from your country and culture. As compared to ours, yours seem so rich. There is a Greek legend that tells about a man going to the underworld in search of his loved one. Thanks for sharing it.
@marguicha (215428)
• Chile
17 Mar 12
I hope these beliefs don´t die. Where I live, we have been culturally cololized (spelling?) by what I call the McDonald culture
. Even our traditional dishes are things of the past.
. Even our traditional dishes are things of the past.1 person likes this
@shibham (16977)
• India
18 Mar 12
Hi kaladi..
Well, its a new information for me and thanks for sharing it. Here our married women take participate on "savitri Vrata" which is as same as "kaaradayan Nonbu". My mom also participated earlier but now she has quit due to health issues. It is also true that this Vrata is now seems rare in my locality.
have a nice time.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
2 Apr 12
That's a beautiful tradition just as many others that we have imbibed so naturally since time immemorial. All my good wishes for you and your lovely family. Continue to share your culture and traditions and enrich us.
@Jotomy (6322)
• India
14 Mar 12
Hi kala, how are you? We Indian's have many celebrations like this. This type of celebrations and fasting shows the respect on god or goddess and also on our husband. The preference how much we give to our family members especially towards our husband knows through this. As everyone about Savitri how much she is at the back of yama to get her husband's life. This is a great example of a Indian woman's respect, love towards their husband.
Have a great day/night kala.
@viju0410 (2286)
• India
23 Mar 12
HI kalav,
Glad to know that you finished the pooja in a great and grand manner. I also observe this fast and i love those sweet adai. Nice to read about it, though i am late here.
Have a nice time.
