RCI -Tamil Festivals Thiruvathirai

Marghazhi Month, is the most sacred month in the Tamil Calendar (Mid Dec- 1st week of Jan). At this time of the year, thw world over enjoys cool nights and not too warm days and it is a welcome month in Tamilnadu that goes through hot weather most of the year. Vaishnavites consider it sacred to worship Lord Krishna in this month, Saivites pray to Lord Shiva. Not to mention the Holy and Merry Christmas that falls in this month.
Elaborating the Saivite practice, In this month on the Thiruvathirai Star day Saivites fervently perform Pooja for Lord Shiva (Nataraja).
It is significant that one of the six anointing ceremonies of Lord Nadarajah takes place on this day. Further Lord Nadarajah comes out in a procession of this day to give Darshan to his devotees.
During this day in all Shiva Temples, grand poojas are held, delighting the Shiva worshippers.
Chidambaram Kovil, Perur Pattesswaran Kovil are some of the temples celebrate this day grandly.

Festival Day Special Dish:-

Thiruvathirai kali
Thaalagam and Butter.
************************************************************************************

Diwali
Diwali, also called Deepavali, is a major Indian festival that is very significant in Hinduism. Known as the "Festival of Lights," it symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for humankind. Fireworks are associated with the festival.

Festival Day Special Dish:-

Diwali Legiyam
Boondhi Laddu
Jangiri
Mullu Murukku
Kara Sev
Ribbon Pakkoda

*************************************************************************************

Karadayan Nonbu

During karadayan nonbu women invoke the blessings of Gowri devi to attain such a husband for all seven births.
Unmarried girls pray for a good husband and married women pray for their husband's long life. It is celebrated during the 1st day of Panguni month.
(Mid March)
During this day Sathyavan Savithiri prayed to Lord Yama and freed her husband Sathyavan from him.

We also Pray to Goddess Kamakshi on this day and ask for the wellness of our husband's life.

Festival day Special Recipes:-

Nonbu Adai - Sweet Version
Nonbu Adai -Salted Version

*************************************************************************************

TAMIL NEW YEAR

The month of Chitthirai has arrived and with it the Tamil New Year’s Day; April 14th – an occasion for celebration for Tamilians all over the world.

The highlight of the festival is the 'Maanga Pachadi' (a dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers), which is at the same time sweet, sour and bitter. This signifies all the different aspects of our life.

Festival Special Recipes:-

1. Maang0 pachadi
2. Neermore
3. Kosumalli
4. Panagam

This is my submission for RCI(Tamil Festivals) Hosted by Viji of VCuisine.