According to mythology, the day when Lord Shiva appeared before Goddess Parvati, pleased with her penance to have Shiva as her husband, and he accepted Parvati as his wife, is celebrated as Thiruvathira. The Thiruvathira festival is also widely believed to be the birthday of Lord Shiva. On the eve of Thiruvathira, women perform Thiruvathirakali, a traditional dance aimed at attaining marital bliss.
