Karadyan Nombu 2003

Karadyan Nombu (also spelled Karadaiyan Nombu) is a Tamil vratam observed by women for the well-being and long life of their husbands, falling on the day the Sun enters Meena Rashi, marking the start of the Tamil month of Panguni.

The observance is associated with the legend of Savitri, who through her devotion and resolve won back the life of her husband Satyavan from Yama, the lord of death. Women fast through the day, tie a sacred yellow thread (mangala sutra-style) around the neck, and prepare adai (a savoury rice-and-lentil cake) and kozhukattai, sharing them with the phrase "nombu nonthaen, ombi vaazha" ("I observed the vow, may we live protected").