Thiruvathira is celebrated during December-January. The legendary is that one day Parvathi took a fast for the well-being of his husband, Siva. The generation copied it. This is purely a women’s affair. The belief is that if a married woman took 24-hour fast it will lead to the prosperity of her husband. If unmarried she will get a good charactered and prosperous husband.
The fasting process starts with a bathe in cold water before dawn. After the bathe and make up with a sandal paste marking (about one inch length) on the forehead, drinks tender coconut and eat one or two banana. No food or drink except water is taken till the completion of 24-hour. The fast breaks with cold water bathe and eating something after 24-hour.
During the fasting day the ladies will wear blouse and colour striped unbleached (light golden colour) hand-woven mundu (about 4 ft x 6 ft single piece spread) which will cover from waist around to feet and spend the day in Thiruvathira Kali (a group-dancing play by clapping palms and stepping rhythmically in tune with the folk songs by themselves). Swinging on Swings hanged from tree-branches is also a major ritual during the fasting.
