Koodaravalli denotes the twenty seventh (27th ) day of Margashira (Margazhi) month during which Paavai Nonbu is being observed. This is the day when Sri Andal, who had composed Thiruppavai in praise of Bhagwan Krishna (Sri Kannan) had His darshan.
Thiruppavai has 30 stanzas (paasurams) and each of them is ascribed to the days in Margashira in chronological order. The 27th sloka and the 27th day signify the completion of fasting by Sri Andal as She has had the Darshan of Sri Krishna on this day.
The ensuing Koodaravalli occurs on Friday, 12th January 2024. The exact time of sunrise, sunset and moonrise are to be ascertained from the respective regional calendars.
In most of the Sri Vishnu temples in South India, Koodaravalli is celebrated in a grand manner. The sweet pudding dish named Akkara Vadisal (Chakkarai Pongal) made with lots of ghee and milk is offered as Neivedyam to Sri Perumal and distributed as Prasadam.
It is believed that offering Akkara Vadisal as Neivedyam and offering Anna daanam on this day shall bring good fortunes and that the good marriage proposals also get fructified. Those facing obstacles in getting marriage alliances are advised to do special puja and neivadyam on this day to get better results.
The twenty seventh pasuram is described.
கூடாரை வெல்லும்சீர் கோவிந்தா உந்தன்னைப்
பாடிப் பறைகொண்டு யாம்பெறும் சம்மானம்
நாடு புகழும் பரிசினால் நன்றாகச்
சூடகமே தோள்வளையே தோடே செவிப்பூவே
பாடகமே என்றனைய பலகலனும் யாம்அணிவோம்
ஆடை உடுப்போம் அதன்பின்னே பாற்சோறு
மூடநெய் பெய்து முழங்கை வழிவாரக்
கூடி இருந்து குளிர்ந்தேலோர் எம்பாவாய்.
koodarai vellum seer govindhaa unthannai
paadip paRaikoNdu yaampeRum sammanam
naadu pugazhum parisinaal nanRaagach
choodagamae thoaL-vaLaiyae thoadae sevipoovae
paadagamae enRanaiya palakalanum yaam aNinthoam
aadai uduppoam athanpinnae paaRsoaRu
mooda nei peithu muzhangai vazhivaarak
koodi irunthu kuLirnthaeloar empaavaai.
Sri Govinda, you win over the enemies. We have sung your praises with self-assurance. Due to that, our prospective gifts shall be innumerable treasures. This Country will praise our treasures.
Till today, we have observed rigorous fasting. We did not adorn kajal in our eyes. We did not wear flowers in our hair. We did not take milk and ghee.
Today, due to your benevolence, our fasting has got completed. Hence, we propose to get ourselves decked up beautifully. We will wear bangles, ear ornaments, anklets and other embellishments. We will wear new garments.
Till today, we have avoided milk and ghee. Today, we have had Your darshan and because of this happiness, we propose to offer You milk rice as Neivedhyam. We will add such a huge amount of ghee on the rice that when we eat the prasadam, the ghee would glide down our elbow.
We pray to You to be with us as always and enjoy our festivities and bless us.
Om Namo Narayanaya!!!
