Thiruvathira Festival: Celebrating Lord Shiva with Dance and Devotion in Kerala

Celebrated as birthday of Lord Shiva.

In Kerala, the Thiruvathirakali festival is celebrated the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December/January) as the birthday of Lord Shiva. Esteemed as one of the region's most cherished festivals, it is marked by great joy and reverence. On this day, particularly women of Kerala partake in fasting as a gesture of devotion to Lord Shiva. Married women and young girls observe this fast for the welfare and prosperity of their family members. Additionally, young girls fast in hopes of obtaining an ideal life partner.

There is a notable custom known as Pathirappochoodal, where women decorate their hair with flowers and perform Thiruvathirakali. Oonjalattam, or swinging, is also a significant element of these celebrations.

It is a distinctive dance form native to Kerala. Women perform this dance on the night donning traditional Kerala Sarees. The festival holds particular importance among Nair and Nampoothiri families in Kerala. The women begin their day early by singing Thiruvathira songs related to Lord Shiva after bathing.

During the night, while performing Thiruvathirakali or Kaikottykali, women stand in a circle around a lit lamp and synchronize their dance steps to the rhythm of the songs they sing while clapping their hands. This dance is performed as an offering to Lord Shiva, with participants believing that he will bestow his blessings upon them.

For married women, the first Thiruvathira after marriage is termed "Poothiruvathira" and is celebrated with much grandeur and significance.

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