What is the story behind Thiruvathira?

The ‘Thiruvathira’ festival is celebrated to commemorate plea of Goddess Parvathi who used to regularly observe fast on Thiruvathira day in the name of Lord Shiva pleaded Him to heed to the plea of a newly married Brahmin girl, whose husband died days after their marriage, to bless her by giving rebirth to the deceased …

What is Thiruvathira in English?

Thiruvathira or Thiruvathirai or Arudhra Darisanam is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Thiruvathirai (Arudhra) in Tamil means “sacred big wave”. Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu, the Sri Natarajar temple’s annual Festival, is celebrated on this date.

How many members are there in Thiruvathira?

Speaking about the inspiration to take up such a mammoth task, Malathy says, “In 2012, I had organised a Thiruvathira performance comprising of 300 women, which was hugely successful and appreciated. So I thought of adding one more zero and making it 3,000 members this time.

What is the Speciality of Thiruvathira in Dhanu?

Observed mainly by women, Thiruvathira is believed to be the birth star of Lord Shiva. The Thiruvathira festival in the Malayalam month of Dhanu, which usually coincides with a full moon day, is celebrated with music, dance, and, of course, food.

What is Arudra Darshanam?

Arudra Darisanam is a festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu. It is a day dedicated to Lord Shiva’s Nataraja form and is observed during Marghazhi (Margashirsha) month when Arudra or Thiruvathirai Nakshatra prevails. Today, devotees of Lord Shiva shall keep a day-long fast and offer their prayers to him.

How can we celebrate Thiruvathira at home?

Arrange all the neivedyam dishes in the banana leaf. Keep a plate with banana, coconut, betel leaf and nut, turmeric pieces along with yellow rope. Do the pooja by showing dhoop, dheep and mangala harathi. After doing the pooja, tie the yellow rope around your wrist or neck.

How do you do Thiruvathira Pooja?

Thiruvathirai day Prepare thirivathirai kali, adai & kootu ( Rice, dal, sambar, thayir pachadi). Decorate the pooja room with flowers and light the lamp. Arrange all the neivedyam dishes in the banana leaf. Keep a plate with banana, coconut, betel leaf and nut, turmeric pieces along with yellow rope.

Is Thiruvathira a ritual?

Category – Art Forms. Thiruvathirakali was initially a ritual dance performed by women, in order to attain marital bliss, on the Thiruvathira day of the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December – January). Today, Thiruvathirakali has become a popular dance form for all seasons.

Which is the most interesting face of Thiruvathira festival?

Thiruvathira is essentially women’s festival. Ladies on this day worship Lord Shiva 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.

When is Thiruvathira celebrated in Dhanu, Malaya?

Thiruvathira is celebrated on the asterism Thiruvathira in Dhanu, the fifth month of Malayalese calendar (Kolla Varsham). This corresponds to the month of December-January according to Gregorian calendar. Thiruvathira is essentially women’s festival.

When is Thiruvathira Star Day in Kerala?

This falls on the Thiru Aardra (Thiruvathira) star day in the month of Malayalam month Dhanu. Normally this falls during December end or January beginning. This year Thiruvathira falls on 8th January, 2012.

Where is the image of Lord Shiva placed at Thiruvathira?

An image of Lord Shiva is placed in the central courtyard of the house at the midnight of Thiruvathira. An offering of flowers, plantains and jaggery is made to this image. The women then perform the very elegant Thiruvathirakkali or Kaikottikali around the image of Lord Shiva wearing the flowers picked from the offering made to the Lord.