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The festival falls on the asterism Thiruvathira in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December-January). On thiruvathira morning, devotees throng Shiva temples for an early worship which is reckoned as highly auspicious.

Tradition says thiruvathira is celebrating the death of Kamadeva, the mythological God of Love. According to another version, Thiruvathira is the birthday of Lord Shiva. The festival has similarities to adra darshan celebrated in Tamil Nadu.

On the festival day, women discard rice meal, but only take preparations of chama (panicum miliaceum) or wheat. The day's menu include plantain fruits and tender coconuts. They chew betel and redden their lips. A custom that women should chew 108 betel on the day had prevailed among Namboodiris, Ambalavasis (temple-servants) and Nairs ( all Hindu communities). The first thiruvathira after the marriage of a girl is known as puthenthiruvathira or poothiruvathira( new thiruvathira). Oonjalattom, (swinging on an oonjal (swing) is another amusement women engage themselves with. During the chilly night, women keep vigil for God Shiva and stage Thiruvathirakali, a bewitching dance form.

Pretty girls in traditional attire circle around a lighted brass lamp, and step to the rhythm of the songs they sing, clapping their hands.

Pathirappoochoodal,( wearing of flowers at midnight) is still prevalent among women belonging to Namboodiri, Ambalavasis (temple servants) and Nair communities.

That thiruvathira is still being celebrated with pomp vouch for the enviable position Kerala women enjoyed in the society. The status she occupied at home and in the society had influenced the state's social structure, customs and religious practices.


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