Significance of kozhukatta for Kerala Christians

KOZHUKATTA is a snack prepared by ancient Kerala Christians on the 41st day of the Great Lent.

Christians fast for 40 days in memory of Jesus’ fasting. However, since they continue to fast for Jesus’ passion for the next 10 days, they use kozhukatta to mark the culmination of the 40-day fast and to prepare for Passion Week.

On this day, the 41st day of the Great Lent, from ancient times on, the Nazranis (Kerala Christians – followers of the Nazarene) prepare kozhukatta for this purpose. Hence, the day is called Kozhukatta Saturday.

On his way to Jerusalem, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to the house of Lazarus which Christians commemorate on Saturday.

At that time, Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, prepared a feast for Jesus in “haste” with dough and it was his last feast before the Passover festival.

Kozhukatta is prepared (using rice flour) in memory of that feast. Hence, Saturday before Palm Sunday is called Kozhukatta Saturday/Lazarus Saturday.
Kozhu means “axe”. Psalm 141 says: “As when a plough cleaves the earth, their bones have been scattered at the mouth of sheol”. 

It is believed that this snack got the name “kozhukatta” as it is used to break (cleave) the fast.