Celebrating Karthigai Deepam with the tradition of panai olai kozhukattai

Karthikai Deepam is one of Tamil Nadu’s most ancient festivals. It is a day where fire and light take the centre stage. As evening falls, rows of glowing lamps are neatly arranged to brighten homes, courtyards and temple steps. The lighting of each lamp is believed to chase away negativity and welcome the light of goodness. Within this radiant festival lies a beautiful culinary tradition that has been cherished across generations, and that is the making of Panai Olai Kozhukattai.

The palm tree has always been deeply rooted in Tamil life, and its dried leaves hold a special significance. Because they catch fire easily, they were considered sacred and symbolically linked with Agni. This ancient association is what makes the use of palm leaves during Karthikai Deepam incredibly meaningful. When kozhukattai is steamed inside these leaves, it becomes a way of honouring our culture itself.

The palm leaf imparts a soft aroma that blends perfectly with the sweetness of jaggery and coconut. This makes it an ideal offering for Neivedyam. The fragrance of these kozhukattais is something many people associate instantly with this festival.

In several southern districts, including Tirunelveli, Madurai, Sivagangai and Ramnad, the tradition of making Panai Olai Kozhukattai on Karthikai Deepam continues to be a beloved custom. Families gather in the evening, light lamps across their homes and share these kozhukattais as a form of food-based worship. It is a festival ritual that brings families together and preserves a connection to their roots.

But as modern life changed, this traditional sweet slowly became harder to find. Fresh palm leaves became less accessible, and the time and skill needed to prepare the kozhukattai made it a rare treat. That is why, at Nithya Amirtham, reviving this heritage felt important. For us, Panai Olai Kozhukattai is a memory and a piece of Tamil culture worth preserving. This Karthikai Deepam, we bring it to you in its most authentic form, wrapped in real palm leaves and prepared with care and the highest-quality ingredients.

Available exclusively for the festival, these kozhukattais bring back the emotion and meaning of a tradition that deserves to shine as brightly as the lamps of Karthikai Deepam. May this season fill your home with warmth, light and the timeless taste of heritage.