శివరాత్రికి చంకలెత్తనీయదు (చలి)

shivaratriki chankalettaniyadu (chali)

Translation

The cold won't even let you lift your armpits by Shivaratri.

Meaning

This is a popular Telugu folk saying regarding the seasonal transition. It implies that even though the peak of winter has passed, the cold weather remains significant enough until the Maha Shivaratri festival that people keep their arms close to their bodies to stay warm. It is used to describe the lingering nature of winter in the Telugu states.

Related Phrases

It doesn't let you cook and see, and it doesn't stop burning.

This expression is used to describe a problematic, irritable, or difficult person or situation that is constantly bothersome. It refers to a fire that is too smokey to allow cooking but too stubborn to go out, representing a state of constant annoyance that neither resolves nor allows progress.

Like Shivaratri going to Ekadashi's house.

Both Ekadashi and Shivaratri are days associated with ritual fasting. This expression is used to describe a situation where one destitute or needy person seeks help from another person who is equally poor or in the same miserable condition, resulting in no benefit for either.

The co-wife doesn't let one thrive, and the fishhook doesn't let the bait rise.

This proverb describes a situation where a person is trapped between two obstructive or competing forces that prevent any progress. It is used to express how internal friction or constant interference from others can make it impossible for someone to succeed or move forward in their life or work.

The cold leaves by Maha Shivaratri, and the heat stings by Sri Rama Navami.

This is a seasonal observation in Telugu culture regarding the transition of weather. It signifies that the winter chill typically vanishes after the Shivaratri festival (February/March), and the scorching summer heat begins to be felt intensely by the time Sri Rama Navami (March/April) arrives.

By Shivaratri, mangoes grow to the size of Shivalingas.

This is a traditional agricultural observation or proverb indicating that by the time of the Maha Shivaratri festival (usually in late February or early March), the young green mangoes on the trees should have grown to a significant size, comparable to small stone lingas. It serves as a seasonal marker for the growth of the mango crop.

By Maha Shivaratri, the cold departs saying 'Shiva Shiva'.

This is a popular seasonal saying in Telugu culture indicating that the peak winter season ends with the Maha Shivaratri festival. It suggests that the intensity of the cold weather significantly diminishes after this day, marking the transition into spring and summer.

By Maha Shivaratri, the cold leaves saying 'Shiva Shiva'.

This is a popular Telugu saying indicating that the winter season officially ends and the weather starts warming up after the festival of Maha Shivaratri. It describes the seasonal transition from winter to spring.

Like lifting one's armpits after applying civet perfume.

This proverb describes a person who becomes overly arrogant, showy, or boastful over a small achievement or a newly acquired status/possession. It is used to mock someone who is behaving with excessive pride or showing off in an undignified manner.

By Shivaratri, the cold will be as small as a tamarind leaf.

This expression is used to describe the change in weather during the transition from winter to summer. It signifies that by the time of the Maha Shivaratri festival, the winter chill significantly diminishes and only a tiny, negligible amount of cold remains.

By Maha Shivaratri, the cold is the size of a tamarind seed.

This is a popular Telugu saying referring to the seasonal transition. It signifies that by the time of the Shivaratri festival (usually in late February or early March), the winter season has almost ended, and the cold weather has reduced to a negligible amount, as small as a tamarind seed.