Happy Karadaiyan Nonbu and Happy Holi !!! It’s a special day today.
In TamilNadu we celebrate Karadaiyan Nonbu today. Women sometimes keep a fast and at the auspicious hour, they tie the Nonbu Charadu (thread) and the Thirumangalyam Charadu (Thaali or Mangalsutra). This Nonbu is observed with prayers for the husband’s long life and good health.
Savitri and Satyavan’s story
In the Vana Parva of Mahabharata epic, 3rd book of the 18 volumes, the story of Savitri and Satyavani appears. I first read the story in a Amar Chitra Katha.
Ashvapati, the King of Madra, is childless. He does a Yagya for 18 years and he is blessed with a daughter named Savitri. Savitri grows up to be one of the most beautiful women of her time and hence her father King Ashvapati is unable to find a suitor for her. He requests her to find herself a husband and Savitri sets out on this project.
Finally after searching all over, she meets Satyavan, in the Shalwa woods. Satyavan is the son of the exiled, blind King of Shalva Kingdom, Dyumatsena. Both Satyavan and Savitri decide to get married and Savitri returns to her father’s kingdom to inform him of her choice.
Sage Narada is visiting the Kingdom of Madra at that time and he expresses worry over Savitri’s choice. According to Satyavan’s horoscope, he would die exactly a year after his marriage. But Savitri is steadfast in her choice and says that she will marry Satyavan. Ashvapati gives in and Savitri and Satyavan get married.
Exactly a year passes and Yama, the Dharmaraja appears to take Satyavan’s soul back. Savitri accompanies Yama and speaks about Dharma and austerities that she observed to save Satyavan’s life. Yama is very impressed with her chastity and devotion. He grants her a boon, with a rider that it can be anything except Satyavan’s life. Savitri first asks for her father-in-law’s eyesight to be restored. As they continue their journey, Yamadharmaraja offers one more boon and Savitri asks for the restoration of her father-in-law’s kingdom.
Yama continues to be very impressed with Savitri because of her knowledge of Dharma and the fact that she asked favours for her father-in-law and not for herself. He grants her yet another boon and says Ashvapati (Savitri’s father) will have a 100 sons to carry his lineage forward. Savitri continues to walk besides Yama despite his urging her to return. She says, when one gets married and takes the seven steps together, they are bonded for life so I will keep Satyavan company. Yama blesses her and says remain a “sowbhagyavati” (married woman) and give birth to sons.
Savitri smartly thanks Yama for the blessing and says, “I can’t remain a Sowbhagyavati and have those sons without Satyavan”. Yamadharmaraja immediately restores Satyavan’s soul and blesses both of them with a long life.
The Savitri Satyavan story is very powerful. It speaks to the power of love …. it’s Savitri’s love and devotion to Satyavan that brings him back from the dead. Savitri is a role model for women down the ages.
In fact this story is narrated by Sage Markandeya to Yudhistir during the Pandava exile from Hastinapur. Draupadi is abducted by Jaydratha and he offers to make her the queen if only she agrees to give up the Pandavas. Draupadi refuses and remains steadfast in her devotion and love for the Pandavas. Yudhistir asks Sage Markandeya if there are any examples of women who have been as devoted as Draupadi and he narrates Savitri’s story.
In different parts of Bharat, Savitri is celebrated at different times – Karadaiyan Nonbu is observed in Tamil Nadu. It’s always around March 14th or 15th – the cusp of Maasi month turning into Panguni.
In Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar its celebrated as Savitri Vrata on Amavasya in the Jyeshta month (mid May to mid June). It’s also celebrated as Vat Savitri Puja in Andhra, Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat. Vat refers to the banyan tree, which is believed to represent Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
Here’s a pic of mine with the Thirumangalyam and the Nonbu charadu. I had requested Rohini, my cousin to send me the charadu and she did, but speed post didnt deliver it today. This charadu is from Appa’s collection, just applied some turmeric to refresh them. The Thirumangalya charadu (thicker twisted one) was given at the Peelamedu Anjaneyar temple during Pongal.
Note : The Karadaiyan Nonbu is similar to Karva Chauth that’s observed in North Indian states. The stories are different, but the spirit is essentially the same.
Karadaiyan Nonbu Special – Sweet and savoury Adai is made with roasted rice flour and Karamani (Lobiya or black-eyed peas) for Karadaiyan Nonbu. Sharing the recipe here – Nonbu Adai Recipe.