Savitri following Satyavan to the forest (Image from Wikipedia)

Women in Tamil Nadu will celebrate Karadaiya Noombu or Savitri Vartham on Sunday early morning. One of the more obscure festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu, this can be compared to the more popular and ubiquitous Karwa Chauth that women in North India celebrate. In both, women fast for the well-being and long-life of their husbands. Here, women and girls will tie a yellow thread (noombu) at the exact moment when the Tamil month of Maasi ends and the the month of Panguni starts. In Karadaiya Noombu, girls also tie the yellow thread, although they won’t fast, unlike Karva Chauth.



Savitri begging Lord Yama not to tak e away her husband’s life (Image from Wikipedia)

A special offering to God called Noombu Adai is prepared to offer to the Lord and then eaten by the women fasting/praying.



Savitri fighting for Satyavan’s life (Image from Wikipedia)

It is believed that on this day, aeons ago, in mythology, the princess Savitri sweet-talked the Lord Yama and got her husband Satyavan back from the dead. The story of Satyavan and Savitri was first found in the Mahabharata and is actually a very sweet story. Read more here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savitri_and_Satyavan)

The fast for Karadaiya Noombu is observed from sunrise on the transition day when the Sun God, Lord Surya transitions from Kumbha (Capricorn) raashi to Meena (Pieces) raashi. 

I am really curious to know if other cultures have something similar….