The Mahabharat is an epic Sanskrit poem of India, dealing chiefly with the struggle between two rival families. It contains many separate episodes, the most notable of which is the Bhagavad-Gita.
The Mahabharata story revolves around two branches of a family – the Pandavas and Kauravas – who, in the Kurukshetra War, battle for the throne of Hastinapura.
The Mahabharata can be read by anybody irrespective of caste or gender.
Those who want to read it for philosophy can read the Bhagavad Gita, Sanat sujatiya, Anu Gita, Moksha dharma etc. Samkhya, yoga, vedanta, pancaratra are all present in the Mahabharata.
In Kerala:
In Kerala, it is considered that reading Mahabharatha will cause disunity and disputes in the family.