Sunday 2 September 2018

Srartham

It had been a very long time that I wrote. Got struck somewhere. Today we performed my Mother in law's Srartham. I thought I should write about this most important ritual since this has lot of formalities and cumbersome too. The significance of performing Srartham is well known in our families and that is why we are continuing to do this year on year without any excuses. People who are very old follow the system of Hiranya Srartham because they cannot sit for long and nowadays because of health issues could not starve for long. But for people who are healthy and young should be strictly following the method of performing Srartham along with homam.



The ritual is performed on the same Tamil month and thithi when the elder demised. Since the thithi comes twice in a month, it should be noted if it is after Amavasai or Pournami (Full moon day). So it is most important to note down the details. I would suggest to make note of this in a diary for future reference. Usually the Sastrigal helps us in identifying the Srartha Thithi. It is also important to inform the Sastrigal who will perform the Srartham well in advance.

The first and foremost step for Srartham is the preparation of Madi vastram for those who are performing the Srartham. This includes the Karta, his wife, brothers and their wife, sisters who will provide theertham during the time of serving food and the one who is cooking the food. It is always preferable to prepare the food by the Karta's wife. Madi vastram is most preferably the wet dresses that are made wet during the time of taking bath on the day of Srartham and wearing the same. The Vastram is 9 yards Saree for women and Panchakacham & Angavasthram for Gents.
However nowadays this system is not followed by all. The day before the Srartham first thing in the morning, take head bath and wear wet cloth and then dip the dresses that are about to be used on the next day and dry it thoroughly without the access of anyone. These wet clothes are usually dried in a place where no one access. These are then taken on the next day morning after taking head bath and with wet dresses. Preparation of Madi Vastram should be done before taking food. Also include clothes used for cleaning the floor after taking food and used in the kitchen for holding the vessels.

The day before the Srartham, the food that we prepare should be home made after taking head bath. This should be no onion and no garlic food. The food along with Rice can be taken once the previous day and for dinner any tiffin items are suggested for the Karta, his wife and brothers and their wife, sister who is participating in the Srartham. Outside food is strictly not allowed. Any left over food of the previous day is also not allowed.

The Bronze vessels are mostly used while performing Srartham. These should be cleaned the previous day itself and kept ready. The basic necessities of the bronze vessel includes the below.

1. Srartha kinnam - 6
2. Pancha Pathram and Udhruni - 2 Sets
3. Thambalam - 3
4. Sombu - 2
5. One medium size bowl for Ghee
6. Anna Karandi
7. Vengala Panai for cooking Rice

Purchase all provisions required for preparing the food on the day of Srartham. It is preferred to keep everything separately from the daily cooking provisions. The basic list of provisions include the below:

1. Vellam
2. Pasi Paruppu (Moong dhall)
3. Urad Dhall
4. Raw Rice
5. Pepper
6. Jeeragam
7. Mustard Seeds
8. Sesame Seeds
9. Refined Oil
10. Gingely Oil
11. Salt
12. Elachi
13. Wheat flour
14 Honey and Nattu Sakkarai
15 Sikakkai for Brahmana to take bath

The list of basic Vegetables/Fruits include the below:

1. Raw banana
2. Bitter guard/ Seppangkizhangu
3. Avaraikkai/Palakkai
4. Snake guard (Pudalangai)
5. Raw Mango
6. Vellarikkai
7. Curry Leaves, Ginger
8. Pirandai
9. Banana/Mango/Jack fruit (either one or three of these)
10. Lemon

Other items includes Banana Leaves for serving food, Milk for preparing curd and Coffee, Ghee (Prepared at home) for Homam and food. The Banana Leaves should be bought as full leaf and handed over to the the Brahmanas who come to accept the food that we offer. The long full leaves are cut and then they prepare the Dhonnai as well from the leaves. Two leaves are used to serve food for one brahmana. In our family we serve food for Vishnu Ilai and then the food will be consumed by the son in law. This depends upon the practice that each family follows.

Items for Homam. Usually Sastrigal gives the list of items required.

1. Homa kundam/ Bricks and sand
2. Viratti
3. Srai
4. Ghee
5. Mat for sitting
6. Hand Fan (Visiri)
7. Nel (Paddy kennels)

The previous day night clean the kitchen tiles (medai), Gas Stoves, Fridge, boil milk and arrange for fresh curd.

Do's and Dont's

1. Do not take oil bath on the day of Srartham
2. Do not consume any other beverages other than coffee or tea
3. Do not use cosmetics, soaps, shampoos or perfumes even for taking bath
4. Apply kumkum after the end of the ritual. Instead apply little turmeric on the forehead
5. Bangles must be worn
6. Do not leave the hair loose. Preferably dry immediately after taking bath and apply a top knot. Do not comb the hair until the ceremony is completed.
7. Ensure the house is cleaned and swiped first thing in the morning. this is preferably done by one of the persons at home and not by maid
8. Do not apply Kolam on the entrance. Only swipe and wet the floor
9. Poojai Vilakku shall be lit only after the completion of the Ceremony
10. Do not consume tiffin or food for dinner on the day of performing Srartham. Usually it is only one time food or Vadai and Athirasam for dinner that was prepared for lunch.
11. Do not consume milk on the day of Srartham
12. The left over food should not be shared with outsiders or served to dog. Shall be provided only to the cow. Even the leaves used to serve food should be kept separately and given to a cow or buried in ground without access to dogs.
13. Provide Gingely oil and Sikakai for the Brahmans who come to accept the food that we offer. This should be provided to them before we take bath
14. Akshadhai for srartham is usually taken from the Rice that is soaked for preparing Saadham
15. People who follow Bodhayana Soothram should take Kanchi while the Rice is boiling and keep it aside for Homam
16. Bothayana Soothram is little elaborate and this requires additional rice for preparing 24 Rice balls (Pindam)
17. Avoid talking while performing this Ceremony
18. Do not make noise in the vessel while serving the Rice for Brahmanas
19. Children are not allowed to participate actively in the ceremony


The basic samayal or food that we serve for any Srartham shall include the below menu. You may refer to your elders at home for any practices that they follow since this differs for each family. But there is no drastic change in the way it is followed.

Pasi Paruppu payasam, Thayir Pachadi, Mango sweet pachadi, Vazhakkai Curry, Avarakkai Curry, Bitter Guard curry/Seppankizhangu Curry, Pudalangai Koottu, More Kulambu, Curry leaves along with Pirandai thogaiyal, Cut Mango pickle, Lemon Rasam, Paruppu, Nei, Saadam, Curd, Vadai, Athirasam, Ellu Urundai, Banana, Nattu Sakkarai, Honey.



Avoid tamarind, Coconut, green chillies, Red chillies, Turmeric powder, nuts, asafoetida for cooking.

The cooking for srartham is also quite easy. Few people say that they dont know. The only Dhall used is the Yellow Moong dhall. First roast and cook the dhall in a separate vessel. This is used for Payasam, Kalathu paruppu, Koottu, Rasam. Then dry roast Urad Dhall and Pepper and finely grind it into powder. This is the masala used for all the items. In the Pan pour oil and throw the mustard seeds and then add the Curry leaves. This is made in bulk and used as seasoning for all vegetables, Koottu and More kulambu.

Nowadays lot of people engage a samayal maami for the samayal. I have heard that it is preferred if the Daughter in law prepares the food for srartham.

Finally, the son's are entitled to perform the Ritual as per our tradition.

Saturday 13 January 2018

Upanayanam

We are planning for my son's Upanayanam and recently completed the ritual of Upanayanam of my nephew. Had been thinking to write on this for a long time. Its quite lengthy too. Upanayanam is a two days ritual. Normally this is done when the boy reaches 5 years or  7 or 9 years of age. Basically the odd years of age is chosen to perform this ritual. Once Upanayanam is performed and Brahma Upadesam is made he becomes a eligible bachelor and then on starts performing Sandhiyavandhanam on a daily basis.

The Function is usually planned during Uthrayanam which is From Tamil month Thai to Aani. Aadi to Margazhi is not suitable to perform Upanayanam. Marriages can be planned during both Uthrayanam and Dhakshinayanam. The best suitable month is Maasi for performing Upanayanam. If the boy was born during the month of maasi, then it should not be conducted on this month. There is a saying "Maasila Poonal potta Paasi Padaraum"

While the family sastrigal helps in choosing the date for the function, he also guides to narrate the invitation. Before performing the function we need to perform the Pondugal and Samaaradhanai selecting a auspicious day. Pondugal should be done first and then Samaaradhanai. It's mandatory for the kid to participate in both functions. So ensure to plan on holidays when the kid does not have school or any other important activity to participate.

My sister's family hails from North arcot and they do the ritual of "Pongi Idaradhu" before the function. Basically, the kid is invited for the Athai;s [aunty] home on a auspicious day. They apply nalungu, apply oil on his head and make him take bath. Then food is served including Payasam, vadai. Finally gift him with dress. This is also being done before marriage in the same manner.

On the previous day of the Upanayanam, Uthagashanthi is performed. All items required will be listed by Sastrigal. The same day Naandhi is also performed. For this 9 Vaidhigaal will be coming to receive the Dhaanam. It is mandatory to cook food at home for Vaidhigaal. Else they don't take food ordered from outside. The person preparing food should wear Madi and serve food wearing madisaar saree.

Both the parents and the kid should not have food till the end of the function. After the poojai, the kid undergoes Abhishegam with the holy water in the kalasam. Parents should wear Panchakacham and Madisaar. Both Parents and Kid should take head bath and prepared for the function before Sastrigal comes. Kid should wear 4 muzham Dhothi. Be prepared with the towels for the kid to dry after undergoing the abhishegam.I am told that is is preferred to wear the Muhurtha Pudavai on the day of Upanayanam. So I did.

On the day of Upanayanam, the kid should be made to sit in a manai palagai on which maakolam is applied. Mangala snanam should be performed for the kid by the Atahi {aunt} by applying nalungu on feet and oil on his head. He she wear  Muzham dhothi, apply Viboodhi on forehead.

Brahma Upadesam is the actual ritual that is performed on this day. The guru does this for the kid in the presence of mom and dad alone. The guru, kid, mom and dad are covered with a vastram and the guru teaches the Gayathri Manthram.



From the day of the Upanayanam, the Sharma name is applicable for the kid and we start using this while performing Archanai and in all Poojai. The kid is taught "Abhivadhaye" which he tell to his mom and perform Namaskaram. He is then mandated to perform Bikshai and handover the rice to his mom. The Mom should receive it in her Saree thalaippu. Keep it safe and cook the next day at home. All Sumangali ladies who attend function shall then provide Bikshai arisi along with little thoor Dhal. The kid should say "Bavathi Biksham Dhehi" to those ladies who offer Bikshai Arisi. It is a tradition to issue Murukku and Laddu to those ladies who offer Bikshai Arisi. The Bikshai arisi should be brought back to home and included in the Rice that is used for cooking.


On the day of Upanayanam,  a small portion of hair will be cut for the kid. Those days, the boy after Upanayanam keep Kudumi and this practice is now not followed as mandatory. People who belong to Sama Vedham shave the entire hair of the kid. After that the kid take bath and wear a fresh set of cloths. Athai has to apply a beauty spot {dhrishti pottu}.The maternal uncle {thai maama} of the kid used to carry the kid on his shoulders and bring him to the function hall. This is a practice followed and the uncle is honored for the same.

The kid and a boy who is a bachelor {for whom Upanayanam is already performed} are made to sit together and they are offered with food which normally includes a Sweet,Ven Pongal and Murukku Vadam. Kolam is drawn on the floor where the kids will sit and on the place where the Vazhai Ilai is placed to offer food. The food is normally served by Athai/Maami. Mother offers theertham before the kids start eating. This ritual is called as Kumaara Bhojanam.


The Kid's maternal grandma brings in "Paruppu thengai" for both days. One pair for Uthagashanthi and one Pair for Upanayanam. This is usually made of Laddu and Manoharam for those who hails from Tanjore. They also gift the traditional 5 round Murukku, Adhirasam, Mullu murukku, laddu, a vessel for Bikshai arisi, Thanga poonal  Velli Poonal and Pattu Veshti for the kid.
This Pattu Veshti is normally used while sastrigal perform the Brahma Upadesam to the kid which is the important part of the function.

Both days, maakolam is applied on the entrance, Vazhai Maram is tied on the entrance and all close relatives of the kid are invited to bless the kid. Nowadays, the function is performed in a mini hall.
The list of items required for Sastrigal will be provided by him. I would insist in performing the Rituals more with Religious importance.

The kid will be trained by the Satrigal for the next few days to perform Sandhiya Vandhanam.

We have to be prepared with the below list of items.

1. Manjal and KumKum
2. Garland for the kid for both days
3. Flowers for us and to the visitors
4. Thamboolam for the guests
5. Thambalam {Plates}
6. Arrange for caterers
7. Vazhai Maram in both Mandapam and home
8. Decoration if any in the Mandapam and Name Board
9. Pair of Lamps to be lit on both days and oil, Thiri.
10. Sandana Pela and Kumkum Chimizh
11. Dresses for us and kids to wear after Muhurtham
12. Sampandhi Badhil Mariyadhai
13. Coins {5 or 10 Rupee}
14. Aarathi liquid and Plate
15. 4 Muzham Veshti to gift for the boy accompanying Kumara Bhojanam
16. Pancha Paatram and Udhruni
17. Photographer
18. Maakolam Maavu
19. Photos of Elders and God
20. Return gifts {not mandatory}

We bought everything and packed in separate boxes to make it easily available on the day of function and the previous day.