Kuchela dinam or 'Kuchela's day' is an yearly festival celebrated by Hindus in south India. It is observed on the first Wednesday of the month of Dhanu in Malayalam calendar.

In Hindu mythology, Kuchela (also known as Sudama) is the childhood friend of Lord Krishna who made an offering of beaten rice (aval) to Krishna despite his poverty.
Following the offering, he became wealthy because of the benevolent blessings of Lord Krishna.
Several temples in South India, including the famous Guruvayur Temple observes kuchela dinam in remembrance of Kuchela's willingness to part his food despite extreme poverty. Devotee's offer specially prepared beaten rice in Krishna temples on Kuchela dinam. The offering is known as aval nivedyam and contains grated coconut, jaggery, ghee, dried ginger and cumin in addition to beaten rice.
Special counters will be opened at the temples from the eve of Kuchela day to facilitate aval nivedyam.

In Guruvayur temple, devotees line up outside the temple and offer packets of beaten rice at the namaskara mandapam situated in front of the sanctum sanctorum and the steps leading to the shrine called thripadi.
Devotees believe that poverty will be eradicated and prosperity will follow after aval nivedyam.

Kuchela represents the selflessness in us;
He represents the hesitation, procrastination of using friendship for personal gains;
He represents unconditional love;
He represents simplicity;
He represents abundance of goodness even under abject poverty;

His meeting with Krishna represents the power of friendship;
That anything we offer with love is invaluable;
That any such offering should be unconditional;
The the lord will not just be your friend but a soul mate, placing us above every other relationship.

Poverty is a myth in a heart-land which has a heart to share and care.
Nature has everything for everyone!
Teaching this the dharma of Brahmana
Protecting this is the dharma of Kshatriya
Conveying it the dharma of a Vaishya
Making it is the dharma of a Sudra
The varna ashramas are within each one of us;
They are Dharma Ashramas.

Krishna showed this to the world !
He was the teacher, the advisor, the originator, the charioteer, the liberator and dharma-establisher.

Poverty is Adharma when nature is abundant.
That’s the lesson for the Sudama Dinam.

Let’s care! Let’s share.
Let’s hug the sweat of Sudama;
Let’s be humble to wash his feet;
Let’s be respectful to offer a equal status in friendship;
Let’s bless and wish abundance for all.

Happy Kuchela Dinam