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.
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.
