Thiruvathirai /Arudhra darshan (Arudra darisanam) is a popular Hindu festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Thiruvathirai Adai, Kali, Kootu are offered to Lord Nataraja, a dancing form of Lord Shiva on this day. In this post, I have shared a collection of Thirvathirai special recipes / Arudra darisanam recipes like rice Kali, Sweet Adai, Thiruvathirai kootu with 7 vegetables, Thalagam i.e Kali kuzhambu and also a Kali recipe using store bought rice flour.
As per my family’s tradition, we also offer cooked raw rice/ sadam, paruppu / dal, thayir pachadi along with adai, kali, kootu. So I have shared the links of all these recipes as a list below. I have also made a detailed post on how to celebrate Thiruvathirai at home with pictures. Hope beginners would find it useful.
Thiruvadirai / Arudhra Darshan is observed in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December – January) on Thiruvathirai Nakshathram day. In this year 2025, it falls on 13th January, Monday. You can look for auspicious timing in your Tamil calender and do the pooja. Please avoid Rahu kalam and Yama gandam timings on this day. Lets see the Thiruvathirai special recipes below.
Any 7 VegetablesSweet potato, yam, arbi, broad beans, cluster beans, pumpkin, Lima beans, Lady's finger, raw banana
Green chilli
Salt &water – as needed
Tempering ingredients like mustardurad dal
Curry leaves
Hing
Cumin seeds
Coconut oil
Ghee
Tried this recipe? Please share a pictureMention @chitrasfoodbook or tag #chitrasfoodbook
THIRUVATHIRAI RECIPES
1
THIRUVATHIRAI KALI
Thiruvathirai kali is the most important dish offered to God on this special day. This kali is prepared in both Tamilnadu and Kerala in their own way. I have shared Tamilnadu style Thiruvathirai kali made using roasted and powdered raw rice and moong dal in a pressure cooker. It can be prepared under 15 minutes. Beginners can cook it easily following this recipe. Please click the picture below for the detailed recipe link with video.
Traditionally Thiruvathirai kali is prepared with raw rice and moong dal. I have made a simplified verison using store bought idiyappam flour and powdered moong dal. Do check this for a quick version.
Thiruvathirai adai is a sweet recipe made using raw rice flour, jaggery and coconut. It is one of the most important neivedyam recipe offered to Lord Shiva on Thiruvathirai day. Click the picture below for the detailed recipe.
Thiruvathirai kootu is a delicious side dish offered to God on Thiruvathirai viratham day. It is prepared with 7 different seasonal, country side vegetables. We say as Naatu kai in Tamil. Sweet potato, Yam, Arbi, Broad beans, Cluster beans, Lima beans/ Mochakottai, Raw banana, Pumpkin, Lady's finger etc are used.
Thalagam @ Thiruvathirai kuzhambu is nothing a kind of sambar adding seven vegetables with freshly roasted and ground spices. But this sambar is prepared without dal. Its a great side dish for Thiruvathirai Kali. People also make this kuzhambu for Thai Pongal lucnh menu. It is made in Tamil brahmin house holds on Thiruvathirai day. Its also popular in Tirunelveli. They call it as Thiruvathirai Kali kuzhambu or Thiruvathirai kuzhambu. I make it regularly for every Thiruvathirai and Pongal. Please click the picture shared below for more details.
Last but not the least, here is the detailed celebration procedure of Thiruvathirai at home in Tamil nadu. I have shared the traditions followed in my house by my MIL. I have kept this post as a record for my future reference and to help beginners who are new to this festival. As I mentioned, its completely based on my family's practice. Please refer this post for a guidance and get more clarifications for the elders of your family. Please click the picture below for more details.
Along with Thiruvathirai Adai, Kali and Kootu we also offer Cooked rice, Cooked and seasoned moong dal / Paruppu, thayir pachadi and sambar or Thalagam to Lord Nataraja. Usually we make Gooseberry curd raitha / Nellikai thayir pachadi or Vendakkai thayir pachadi / Lady's finger raitha.
In this no moon dal lunch menu / Amavasai lunch menu, I have shared a South Indian thali with rice, dal, sambar, poriyal and pachadi. Please follow this and make paruppu/ dal , sambar and pachadi for Thiruvathirai.
Hope you find this collection of Thiruvathirai recipes helpful and interesting. You can make all or Thiruvathirai Kali alone for the pooja. Have a great celebration. Thank you !
Hello, I'm Chitra Sendhil, the writer and photographer behind this website. I started this website as a food blog in 2009 under the name "Ratatouille - Anyone Can Cook." In 2013, after purchasing my own domain, I rebranded it to "Chitra's Food Book." I am a pure vegetarian, born in Tamil Nadu, and currently residing in Bangalore, India. To learn more about me, please visit the "About Me" page. You can find all my recipes, complete with videos and step-by-step pictures, right here on my website. Mail me to chitra.ganapathy@gmail.com for your queries and feedback.
