Karadaya Nombu - in memory of Savitri

Gam Ganapathaye Namaha,  Sree Saraswathyay Namaha

Today is Karadaya Nombu, a day celebrated in remembrance of Savitri Satyavan, a highly devoted wife. The story goes about how Savitri followed her dead husband, and Lord Yama seeing her devotion and steadfastness granted her three boons. She used the boons wisely asking for children and grand-children and Lord Yama was outwitted and he granted her husband's life back.

The day is celebrated by women in South India(similar to Karva Chauth in the North of India), by observing a fast and praying for the wellness and long life of their husbands.  A steamed sweet called Nombu is made out of rice powder, jaggery and karamani(white coloured peas). The nombu is done at the time when Tamil month ‘Masi’ ends and the next month ‘Panguni’ starts, this in between few minutes are considered highly auspicious ( the Meena Sankranthi) and the women offer the Nombu with butter and offer it to the Goddess praying:
"Urugatha Vennayum Oraduyum Vaithu Nombu Nothren
Oru Naalum En Kanavan Ennai Vittu Piriyamal Irukkavendum"

The first charadu is tied (in my husband's family  tradition) to a Gangai chombu and then we tie the charadu around our necks by ourselves.
Mangale Mangala Dhare Mangalye Mangala Pradhe
Mangalartham Mangalesi Mangalyam Dehi May Sada

Following this, we do a Namaskaram to our husband and  break the fast by eating the Neyvedhyam. 

Recipe and more info by Smt. Yogambal Sundar mami, whose recipes are fail proof even for beginners:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TxN_3s4I3E

https://www.subbuskitchen.com/karadayan-nonbu/ - read more about Savitri's story and her wit.

What we need
:
Rice for rice flour, Jaggery, Karamani (cow peas), butter
Vethalai pakku, Pazham, Vazhai Elai, Nombu Charadu