for their wives are so dedicated and loving that they go to any extent to ensure their safety and longevity. They take pilgrimages, keep fasts and do everything possible to bring good luck and fortune to their husbands.
Kerala being a land of rich culture and tradition is home to numerous festivals. One such important festival is Thiruvathira Kali, especially for the Hindus where the Keralan women keep fast for the longevity and good fortune of their husbands. This festival is related to Lord Shiva and also is celebrated to commemorate the death of Kamdeva, the Hindu god of love.
It is celebrated on the full moon day during the month of Dhanu that is somewhere between mid December and mid January. It is a festival of love, of faith and of devotion. Unmarried women pray to get good husbands and married women pray for the good health and prosperity of their husbands.
Tradition and culture form a very important aspect of the life of Indians. Whichever part of the country they are living in or whatever religion or ethnic group they may belong to, they are never far from their culture and tradition.
They do everything possible to keep their heritage alive. They do so by observing their festivals, praying to their god and following a specific lifestyle which is reflective of the ancient cultural heritage. Thiruvathira Kali is one such festival that reflects the belief and faith of Keralan woman in their god.
They observe a strict fast on this day where they eat only before sunrise and after sunset after witnessing the moon, for they believe that their prayers and sacrifice will keep their husbands away from evil and keep them safe and sound for years and years to come. It is a test of their love and devotion and they always emerge successful out of it.
These women also perform a special dance on this day, fully clad in their traditional attire, revolving around a traditional lamp in a circle. They clap their hands and sing along while dancing following the leader who is also the lead singer. Beside this special day this dance is also performed during other festivals like Onam and its displays the richness of culture and talent of the women folk of Kerala.
Thiruvathira Kali is also a special sweet dish made of rice that is prepared during special occasions and festivals like Onam etc. it is prepared using rice flour, jaggery, water, cardamom powder, ghee, grated coconut and moong dal and is very popular. It is very tasty and a popular dish that is made on almost all the special occasions these days by the people of Kerala.
All these practices and customs form a very important aspect of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage which separates it from the rest of the place and makes it stand as distinct and special. They have been a part of the lives of people for ages and still continue to be the same.