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Sumangli Prathanay

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Sumangali Prarthanai / Mangali pondugalSUMANGALI PRARTHANA MANGALI PONDUGALAfter the annual ceremony of father or mother is being performed every year. AFTER THE MEALS IS OVER we are doing pooja to pithru devas with 6 rice balls each three for matha and pitha vargam. We are adding water gingilly seeds over the six rice pindas then neivedhyam one vadai and athirasam with thamboolam. The wives of these of Pitru devas are fed with food and mangaladravyas kumkum manjal bangles comb mirror,thamboolam and coconut and dhakshinai Blousebit etc; are given to them with paanagam and neermore and sukku vellam and their feet will be adorned with nalangu powder.The wives of pithru devas are invited and they are coming and having their seat on the ethric body or Bioplasmic body .That body must be clean and dustless. Rishis has found out that only gingilly oil has the power of removing from the physical and etherical body. so they have to take oil bath only gingilly oil or herbs mixed with gingilly oil. For srartha. vadhyars who are taking food, the pithru (deceased father or mother) are coming. taking their seat on this biophysical body on your request by manthras. Their seat must be clean and without any dust. so gingilly oil bath must be taken from head to foot. there are restrictions to take oil bath. On those days for example the annual ceremony falls on new moon day Gingilly oil mixed with ghee tulasi leaf and betel leaf pepper will be given to them to take oil bath. Now this becomes thailam and can be taken for oil bath.One nine yards saree without black colour or black border must be bought and dipped in water only on the morning of sumangali prarthana day and should be dried in the open space the border of the saree should not face south side. The nuni edge of the plantain leaves for meals also should not face south side. Rice soaked in wated must be ground to paste in mixie and add a liitle water and put kolam with your finger under neath each plantain leaf and also road vasal and in the wooden palagai where you are going to put saree,with blouse bit.Kuthu vilakku with five faces must be lit. For any lady dies as sumangali the very next day after annual ceremony sumangali prarthana must be done every year.You need not see whether it is tuesday or saturday. for this purpose. You should not do two sumangali prarthana in one year. Suppose marriage for son and daughter happens in a year you may do it at your conveniance before or after marriage any day except saturdays and tuesdays and marana yoga and karinal days.Please buy the book cook and see (samaithu paar) written by Meenakshi Ammal. This AUTHOR HAS GIVEN EXHAUSTIC INFORMATION ABOUT these things in her 3rd part book.So as you are worshipping the wives of Pithru devas only sumangalis are invited for this function , Also sumangalies who are pregnant are also not eligible from their 4th month to sit as a sumangli in this function.1. SUMANGALI PONDUGAL In the book dharma sastra sangraham written by s. v.radha krishna sastrigal and published by surabi jagatguru sathapthi publications chennai 33 in 6th chapter page 220 sraatha devargal are there. to control pithrus in pithru lokam. There are 8 vasukkal, 11 rudhras and 12 audhithyargal,Pitrus are coming : father in the form of vasu, grand father in the form of rudhrar and fathers grand father in the form of audhithyar. these persons are named as pithrus. There is another devar group.they are 12 in numbers. In the yearly sratham 2 viswedevars are escorting pitrus and they are called pruruvar and ardhravar.During mahalaya sraatham time thuru and ruchi viswedevar are escorting pitrus. During naandhi mukha pithru sraatham sathyar and vasu named viswedevars are escorting pithrus. during sapindeekarana sraatham kaalar and kaamar named viswedevars are escorting the pitrus. For sraatham of sanyaasis viswedevars are called saadhu and guru. In yaagams kradhu and dhakshar are viswedevar escorting pithrus.The wifes of these viswedevar and their young female children are requested to give their blessings for the children who are going to have upanayanam or marriage.This function is called sumangali prarthana or mangali pondugal.In the family if a lady expires as sumangali every year immediately after the next sratham day sumangali prarthana should be done.Some families are lucky and they ae getting blessings every year by doing sumangali prarthanai. If a lady expires on dasami or on chathurdasi day the next day will be ekadasi day or amavasai day. ladies are refusing to take oil bath on amavasai day. oil bath with pure gingilly oil should not be taken. Mix some water and ghee with gingilly oil and then it can be used for oil bath. or heat the gingilly oil pour 2 milagu (pepper) and thulasi leaves or /and a piece of betel. now it becomes thailam. no restrictions are there to use thailam . they can use this for oil bath.Just like naandhi this is done for ladies . In naandhi viswedevars who are escorting pithrus are pleased and they are giving their blessings. Their wives and young female children are invited during this sumangali prarthana to get their blessings. This is also equal to nandhi sratham.In olden days each family will have 6 female and 5 or more male children. so they will call their married daughters for this function. Minimum 5 including swamy elai and 2 kanni pon elai are required. This should be given to the very poor class brahmin sumangalis.(9 yards sarees with blouse with saapaadu who are not in your gothram). But if you are requested to give this to your married daughter you will be happily do this.Now a days only two children one male and one female or both males or females. for the future generations They have to call other brahmin sumangalies from other gothrams. For sratham also same gothram sastrigals should not sit in pithru sthaanam.You may request your sastrigal on the sratham day itself to give you 5 or 7 plantain leaf dhonnai for sumangali prarthana. and you can use it on sumangali prarthana day for the sumangalis. you may invite them by giving oil, vasanai podi, shikakai powder and manjal thool and kumkumam, even one week before.For those who are doing ocaasionally before their children's poonal or maariage they have to see the following auspicious day to do this.months aadi, purataasi, margali and masi months should be avoided.except tuesday and saturday all other days are o k for doing this.Thithi: prathamai; astami,navami, ekadasi and stars bharani, karthigai, kettai and marana yogam and karinal day should be avoided.Yama kandam Rahu kalam kuligai kalam should be avoided.On friday if navami thithi ends by about 11-30 a.m. you can start sumangali prarthana from 12 noonThe eldest sumangali in that house is the kartha for sumangali prarthanai.The married daughter of that family must be compulsarily invited.Pregnant sumangalis from the fifth month are not eligible and also after delivery for five months are not eligible to sit in the sumangali prarthnai.They can sit and take meals along with other sumangalis but they will not be counted as sumangali pondugal Kanyapon age should be from 5 to 12 in age. new moon and full day are also not good for sumangali prarthanai.Requirements for sumangali prarthanai: 9 yards saree except black colour all other colours are welcome. blouse bits without black colour 5 nos. minimum. foy kanya pon dress .as per their age. Girls who have attained puberty but not married are not allowed to participate .sumangalis who are nearing' periods' are not allowed to participate.Turmeric powder 100 grams; kumkumam 20 grams; sandalwood powder 10 grams.urundai manjal 250 gram; scented chunnam (chunnaambu) one bottle; betel 100 nos; kali paaku 100 grams; paakku pottalam 10 nos; 50 gram gingilly oil pockets 10 nos; 50 grams shihakai powder 10 nos; shampoo 5 sachets; vaasanai podi 100 grams; comb 10 nos; small size mirrors 10 nos;glass bangles 40 nos; turmeric powder and kumkumam each 10 nos with small plastic container. uthri pushpam 200 grams; thodutha pushpam 5 meter. honey 1 bottle; fruits banana 25 nos; apple 4 nos; pomegrante 2 nos; oranges 5 nos; mango 2 nos; jackfruit sulai 10 nos; grapes 500 grams.milk to make curd 2 litre. butter to make ghee 1 kilo; cardamom (elakai) 25 grams; dried ginger (sukku) 25 grams; coconut 5 nos; coconut with husk 7 nos; corriander leaves and curry leaves 100 grams each; plantain nuni (thalai vala) elai15 nos; salt 1 kg; maida 1 kg; sun flower oil 1 litre; black gram whitened 1 kg; toor dhall 500 gram; green gram dhall 500 gram; bengal gram 100 gram; red chillies 100grams; coriander 100 grams; jaggary 2 kilo; kadugu milagu and jeeragam each 50 gram.4 trays; brass thambalam 2; knief 1 scissors 1 . 2 kuthu vilakku 20 thiri; gingilly oil for deepam; match box; lit 5 faces in each kuthu vilakku and pour oil as and when required until the function is over. containers for chandhanam karaithu vaikka; another container for nalangu maavu manjal podi plus chunnambu and water. container for paanakam =jaggary, water and cardamum powder mixed. container for sukkupowder and jaggary mixture. container for neer mor = curd+water+corrianderleaves and curry leaves and kadugu thaalippu.One big brass kudam filled with water; one mirror; photos of MIL. gold chain. gold bangles etc; whichn are available with you. wooden palakai 10nos; or 2 nos wooden palakai and 8 nos; thadukku for the sumangalis to sit;camphor 1 pocket; oodhu pathi and deepa kal; and stand for scented sticks and for camphor.pancha pathra uthirini.with water.Plantain (monthan) kai 6 nos; white pumpkin 1kg; avarai or kothavari 500 grams; ladies finger =vendai kai 200 rams; lemon 5 nos; bitter gourd 200 grams; ginger 50 gram; mango kai 1 no for pickle;Thanjavur district samayal: Paruppu payasam;with jaggary this should be placed in the right side of the participant elain kil baagam; mel bagam elain nuniyi lirindu aarambithu in clock wise manner serve sugar or sweet, plantain fruit; fruit pachadi; thair pachadi;kosumalli sweet and kaaram; plantain kai curry and avarai curry; pumpkin kootu; ulundu vadai; variety rice=lemon rice and coconut rice or tamirand rice poli made out of jaggary; left side pickles and thogayal; Dhall cooked rice and ghee mor kulambu rasam and curd.In kerala side thengai pal will be given after rasam saadam.
 
In kerala side thengai pal will be given after rasam saadam.For this samayal use all which are bought from provision shop. we do not use the provisions which we are using daily. The remainig portion of the newly bought provisions will be used for daily use.On the previous day or even before to the sumangali prarthanai one must take gingilly oil shihakai powder vaasanai podi manjal podi and kumkum to the houses of all ladies who are participating,They must be requested to have oil bath with this and come to partake of food with wearing 9 yards saree. If you are having sufficient place in your house you may request them to come to your house and take oil bath in your house. for which you have to get their 9 yards saree and inner garments on the previous day itself and you have to pour water after sunset ,spin and it must be spread in the upstairs to dry.Also you must have more than one bath room or it will be very late to have all participants to take oil bath in your house. also you must have enough space to spread the wet clothes for all the participants. The border (thalapu) should not face south.The daughters in law are not allowed to sit as pondugal because of same gothram. This may vary with aathu palakkam and ooru palakkam Washing of brass vessals and trays and kuthu vilakku and gas stove will be there on the previous night.On the morning of the day wash the entrance of the house and draw maavu kolam kalyana kolam and put semman and place mango leaf bunches on the main door. The eldest sumangali person of that house is the kartha. the kartha and her daughter in laws will not take oil bath. The kartha wil take snaanam. and then only the 9 yards saree and a blouse bit 2. 3. will be drenched in water facing east after having applied manjal podi , kumkumam and a drop of oil shikakai powder and spin to dry and then spread it to make it dry with thalaipu not facing south.in the auspicous time that is after seeing gowri panchangam. in the auspicious time put a palagai request the sister or boys/girls father's sister to sit on the palagai give her kumkumam and place oil on her head and sumangali pondugalaga varikkavum.let us name the place where we are going to place the saree as pudavai kalam. put a square maavu kolan on the floor over that put a palagai and put mavu kolam on that. In front of that put a mavu kolam to place the nuni elai; on both sides of the pudavai kalam put maavu kolam for 2 nuni elais beside for elais facing north or east or west.Fold the dry saree or kosuvi so that the pallu comes on the top . the corner of the same should not face south.fold the blouse and keep it above the saree. then keep the following. one medium size or big size mirror. on one tray place 100 betels, more kali pakku, urundai manjal in plenty, banana fruits about 12 in nos and flowers.10 yards of thodutha pushpam malli or kadambam and roses, in another tray put maruthani, nalangu mavu, sukku vellam, put gold chain or other gold ornaments above the saree.place a brass kudam filled with water and elaikai powder. some family will put dry ginger powder also. one sombu paanakam with cardamom powder and one sombu neer mor with curry leaves and coriander leaves salt and kadugu thaalippu. family custom will differ here also.2 coconuts pasted with manjal powder.keep the pavadai thundu and ravikai thundu for the kanya pen should also placed here.dakshinai coins to be given to these pondugal.with betel and betel nut glass bangles, manjal kumkum eyetex; maruthani mirror and comb.on the kolam in front of the pudavai kalam put double nuni elai (after washing all the nuni elais with water) one overlapping the other as you are doing for sratham. elai nuni should not face south. On other mavu kolams place 1 nuni elai and drinking water.Start before or after rahu kalam. When the ladies arrive, give them turmeric powder and water to wash their legs and apply turmeric powder and come.Then give them chandanam kumkumam flowers and ask them to sit or stand as per family custom near the nuni elais..Offer all items of menu to the pudavai kalam first and then serve to all clockwise without ending in south direction. Show doopam and deepam to pudavai kalam first and then to all clockwise without ending in south direction.after taking oil bath before starting taking food in the nuni elai these pondugal should not take any food or water or coffee. Because they should not pass urine or hoding urine in the bladder which will irritate them .so before applying oil on their head they have to take milk or fruits as now a days all are having diabetus. The conducting person now should take in the hand manjal akshadai,flowers, manjal podi,chandanam, kumkumam and a uthirini of water sprinkle below the pallu of the saree in the pudavai kalasam and (in mind) pay respects to all the deceased members of the 4. family by calling their names and also tell arindava ariyathava therindava theriyathva ellorum sapida varungal enru alaikka vendum then tell if there is any fault or deficient forgive me and help me and bless us in the coming marriage or poonal pour the akshadai and flowers and chandanam and kumkumam on the kalasa pudavai do pradhakshina namaskaram facing the pudavai.Do neivedhyam to the swamy (pudavai) eleai with broken coconut banana fruits and thamboolam. Then camphor karpoora arathi to swamy elai and then to all pondugal. In some families no kalpoora harathy. Then offer one uthirni of water from pancha pathram first to the swamy elai and then to each pondugal on their right hand. they have to drink this all in 5. the same time. then saapaadu can start. after meals is over for all the sumangalis pour one uthirini of water first to swami elai and then to all and they have to take in the same time. nobody should get up half way through.move the pudavai kalam to north. After the meals the ladies should br given neer mor, paanakam, sukku vellam. then smear haldi on their legs and put nalangu on their legs,offer flowers chandanam kumkumam.give them thamboolam and chunnam. keep in a plate the gifts=for each betel pakku banana dhakshinai, blouse bit co conut with husk gundu manjal,comb ,mirror, glass bangles,eyetex,maruthani, give this on their pallu (pudavai thalapu)Give manjal akshadai on their hand do namaskaram and ask them to bless.you. give the dhaavani to the kanya pon who will be your grand daughter. The kartha and the other daughter in law of that house will share the swamy elai meals.These pondugals should not take food at that night. they can take fruits and milk.In the evening in an auspicious time the daughter of that family or sister in law will wear the pudavai and then after sometime it will be placed on the palakai. only on the next day the pudavai will be given to the daughter of the family or to some poor class people according to the family custom. If the daughter is not wearing 9 yards daily that 9 yards may be taken by the daughter in law or sister in law and a 6 yards saree will be given to the daughter.In some family this pudavai is kept in the loft in a mud pot and in the next time when they are doing this the old one from loft will be used by the daughter and the new one will go to the loft with the mud pot. In the evening in an auspicious time the daughter of the kartha or the sister in law member of that family must do like this and also male members after taking bath should do as written above, decorate both the mirror and saree and M I L "S photo with thodutha pushpam and in some families they are putting marapachi in front of the mirror, , Sumangali Prarthana, . This is a ritual seeking the blessings of women of the family who are no more; something akin to the nandi sradham, only there are no vedic rituals or mantras in this ritual. It is purely a ladies’ function. In most families this function is performed during important events like marriage, upanayanam etc, while in some families it is performed every year. It is believed that performing this puja will satisfy the unfulfilled yearnings of all the girls and ladies who have passed away at young age and they would in turn bless the family. It is common practice to conduct the Sumangali Prarthana before the marriage if the daughter is getting married and after the new daughter-in-law comes home if the son is getting married. This function is not performed on Tuesdays or Saturdays.Usually, 7 ladies and 2 young girls (preferably below the age of 10) are invited to participate in the function, partake the feast and receive thamboolam. There is no objection for near relatives of the hostess to participate. Now a days many people do with 7 (6+1) or (5+2) ladies as it has become difficult to get together the 9 ladies to sit for the function. Usually only sumangalis are only invited for the purpose though I have heard that there are exceptions to this rule. Different families follow different customs. The ladies who sit for the puja represent all the women of the family who are no more alive. Since there is no explicit avahanam through manthrams of any pithrus, ladies generally accept the invitation. This function is very akin to the nandi sradham performed prior to the upanayanam in many respects. While nandi sradham is presided over and conducted by the purohitha of the family and the kartha is a gent; this function is presided over by the elderly lady members of the family. Usually the kartha is a sumangali from the family. The gifts to the ladies vary among families and also depend on the financial status of the kartha, very similar to the nandi sradham. The menu for the feast is also very similar. Though no vedic rituals are performed, Sumangali Prarthana is considered to be a very important and sacred function and all the preparations are done with a great deal of Shradha and Bhakthi. This is one function where the gents of the family are excluded from the rituals. They are asked to enter the hall only after initial puja is offered to do namaskarams and seek the blessings. Otherwise, they can stick around to offer any help around or in the kitchen and then await call for lunch, when the ladies have been fed and seen off. The consent and convenience of all the prospective participants would have been obtained in advance and there would always be a few standbys for any unexpected dropouts. In the olden days, the preparations for the function had to start the previous evening. Armed with a bucket of oil and packets of turmeric powder, kumkum, flowers, betel leaves and nuts, and shikakai powder, we would go to all the invitees’ houses and invite them giving a measure of oil and the other things we carried. The items were for the lady’s bath and adornment the next day. I am not sure if the custom is being followed anywhere today. Perhaps, these days one would have to carry, shampoo sachets, moisturizing cream, lipstick and the like. We did not have that invitation round this time at our home as most of the participants were from the family and immediate family. All the participants are supposed to take an oil bath in the morning and come dressed in 9 yards saree only. There is no match to the beauty of the ladies all dressed in nine yards sarees and with no make up other than turmeric powder in their face and flowers in their hair, fresh from an oilbath.In memory of those souls who are no more with us, a new 9 yards saree and pavadai as offering (these two would be used by some members of the family after the puja) are kept in wooden trays, along with oil, betel leaves, flowers, turmeric, kumkum and neem leaves early in the morning and the blessings are sought. This has to be done by a member of the family before taking bath! In all our rituals, I have not some across another ritual which is done before taking bath. As I was staying at a neighboring house (not enough space for all invitees at home), my mother sent word for me at 5.30am. I sent back the messenger as I was yet to bathe. My mother sent the messenger back saying, “I want her to come here before taking bath”. It has been a long time since I myself conducted this ritual. When my astute and blessed mother-in-law was alive, she used to take care of these little things and I used to be busy in the kitchen.My mother made me offer the saree and pavadai with oil and other items to the elders (who are in heaven) and asked me to pray for their blessings for the family. This done, the saree had to be washed and dried before the actual function.In some families new dresses for all the girls and ladies of the family are bought and kept at the puja and later on used by the family members. Anyway, not all the dresses are washed prior to the function. Though the cooking for this function is usually done by the women in the family, the hired cook prepared the feast as all of us were quite tired after the poonool. An elaborate lunch (again samaradhanai vattam) was prepared includingParikkai pitla,Vazhakkai kariChakka kari,Pudalangai thoran,Payar thoran,Pachadi,Kichadi,Parippu,Rasam ThogayalPayasam.The menu also included three types of fruits, mango, jackfruit and banana. Vadai and Neiyappam were also prepared. It is a practice at home to make polis which was discontinued this time as no one was in a mood to have more sweets. When all the invited ladies arrive, they are received with kumkum, haldi, flowers and pachai (rouge!). This pachai is a paste made of kumkum and water and is applied on both sides of the cheek outside the earlobes. They are then taken to the function hall where a place has been marked for each one with two places for the deceased seniors at the head of the hall. The saree and pavadai meant for the deceased seniors are kept in the palakai along with some gold chain and flowers and betel leaves, neemleaves, turmeric and kumkum. Banana leaves are laid out for serving food at the place where the saree and pavadai are kept (this place is called pudavai kalam – meaning where pudavai or saree is kept) meant for the departed souls and also for all the invited participants, after having invoked the departed seniors. After all the items are served on the leaves, puja is done offering flowers, turmeric powder, kumkum betel leaves, neem leaves and water to the departed souls and all the invitees, by the eldest lady of the family .The other members of the family including male members offer puja and namaskarms at the pudavai kalam site only. Doopam and Deepam are offered at the place where elders are invoked, i.e., at the pudavai kalam and also to all the participating ladies by the eldest lady of the family. This is one of the functions where ladies are served first. After lunch, the ladies are given a special mixture called Chukkumanam (mixture of dried ginger and jaggery) as a digestive aid after the heavy meal. They are also given paanakam to drink. They are offered thamboolam, dakshina and mehendi. These days, people give more expensive gifts like sarees, bangles, and the like to the invited ladies. After the invited ladies are seen off, the other members of the family have their lunch. The food served at pudavai kalam ( the two places earmarked for the departed ) is partaken of by two ladies of the family.After lunch the saree and pavadai are given to some family members who have to wear them and replace them at the same place. In the night a pot of water is also kept near the pudavai kalam to quench the thirst of the heavenly visitors.In the olden days (during the time of my grandmother), the saree kept at the pudavai kalam was kept inside a trunk after the function and worn only after the next Sumangali Prarthana. The saree inside the box, kept after the previous Sumangali Prarthana was taken out on this occasion and worn by a member of the family. It so happened that sometimes the interval between two Sumangali Prarthanas was too long and by the time the saree was taken out it would have started wearing out. Hence after my grandmother passed away, the elders in the family decided to discontinue this practice of keeping the saree inside a box. Thus ended the grand finale to our big get together. All the guests started taking leave one by one from that evening with loads and loads of happy memories of the past few days.
 
Sumangali Prarthanay

I am from Nagercoil Kanyakumari Dist. Our ancestral lead from Thirunelveli side. In our family there is a custom of Poovoda Paanai( a brass vessel with chitadai plus vertilai pakku manjal pushpam etc) which is being inherited by the eledest son of the family who has male issues to follow up the ritual.
However due to economial, social and personal needs we have shifted from the native and still carrying the poovoda paanai.
It may not be possible to carry on with it ( under the present condition of living compulsions) by our future generations. We would like to do santhi for this Poovad Panai( vessel). However our future generations can still continue doing the sumagai prarthanay every year.( we still continue this after our mothers' srartham )
Can any body highlight the procedure for doing this santhi of POOVODA PAANAI if they have done so.
Rgds
Parameswaran Nambi Iyer


In kerala side thengai pal will be given after rasam saadam.For this samayal use all which are bought from provision shop. we do not use the provisions which we are using daily. The remainig portion of the newly bought provisions will be used for daily use.On the previous day or even before to the sumangali prarthanai one must take gingilly oil shihakai powder vaasanai podi manjal podi and kumkum to the houses of all ladies who are participating,They must be requested to have oil bath with this and come to partake of food with wearing 9 yards saree. If you are having sufficient place in your house you may request them to come to your house and take oil bath in your house. for which you have to get their 9 yards saree and inner garments on the previous day itself and you have to pour water after sunset ,spin and it must be spread in the upstairs to dry.Also you must have more than one bath room or it will be very late to have all participants to take oil bath in your house. also you must have enough space to spread the wet clothes for all the participants. The border (thalapu) should not face south.The daughters in law are not allowed to sit as pondugal because of same gothram. This may vary with aathu palakkam and ooru palakkam Washing of brass vessals and trays and kuthu vilakku and gas stove will be there on the previous night.On the morning of the day wash the entrance of the house and draw maavu kolam kalyana kolam and put semman and place mango leaf bunches on the main door. The eldest sumangali person of that house is the kartha. the kartha and her daughter in laws will not take oil bath. The kartha wil take snaanam. and then only the 9 yards saree and a blouse bit 2. 3. will be drenched in water facing east after having applied manjal podi , kumkumam and a drop of oil shikakai powder and spin to dry and then spread it to make it dry with thalaipu not facing south.in the auspicous time that is after seeing gowri panchangam. in the auspicious time put a palagai request the sister or boys/girls father's sister to sit on the palagai give her kumkumam and place oil on her head and sumangali pondugalaga varikkavum.let us name the place where we are going to place the saree as pudavai kalam. put a square maavu kolan on the floor over that put a palagai and put mavu kolam on that. In front of that put a mavu kolam to place the nuni elai; on both sides of the pudavai kalam put maavu kolam for 2 nuni elais beside for elais facing north or east or west.Fold the dry saree or kosuvi so that the pallu comes on the top . the corner of the same should not face south.fold the blouse and keep it above the saree. then keep the following. one medium size or big size mirror. on one tray place 100 betels, more kali pakku, urundai manjal in plenty, banana fruits about 12 in nos and flowers.10 yards of thodutha pushpam malli or kadambam and roses, in another tray put maruthani, nalangu mavu, sukku vellam, put gold chain or other gold ornaments above the saree.place a brass kudam filled with water and elaikai powder. some family will put dry ginger powder also. one sombu paanakam with cardamom powder and one sombu neer mor with curry leaves and coriander leaves salt and kadugu thaalippu. family custom will differ here also.2 coconuts pasted with manjal powder.keep the pavadai thundu and ravikai thundu for the kanya pen should also placed here.dakshinai coins to be given to these pondugal.with betel and betel nut glass bangles, manjal kumkum eyetex; maruthani mirror and comb.on the kolam in front of the pudavai kalam put double nuni elai (after washing all the nuni elais with water) one overlapping the other as you are doing for sratham. elai nuni should not face south. On other mavu kolams place 1 nuni elai and drinking water.Start before or after rahu kalam. When the ladies arrive, give them turmeric powder and water to wash their legs and apply turmeric powder and come.Then give them chandanam kumkumam flowers and ask them to sit or stand as per family custom near the nuni elais..Offer all items of menu to the pudavai kalam first and then serve to all clockwise without ending in south direction. Show doopam and deepam to pudavai kalam first and then to all clockwise without ending in south direction.after taking oil bath before starting taking food in the nuni elai these pondugal should not take any food or water or coffee. Because they should not pass urine or hoding urine in the bladder which will irritate them .so before applying oil on their head they have to take milk or fruits as now a days all are having diabetus. The conducting person now should take in the hand manjal akshadai,flowers, manjal podi,chandanam, kumkumam and a uthirini of water sprinkle below the pallu of the saree in the pudavai kalasam and (in mind) pay respects to all the deceased members of the 4. family by calling their names and also tell arindava ariyathava therindava theriyathva ellorum sapida varungal enru alaikka vendum then tell if there is any fault or deficient forgive me and help me and bless us in the coming marriage or poonal pour the akshadai and flowers and chandanam and kumkumam on the kalasa pudavai do pradhakshina namaskaram facing the pudavai.Do neivedhyam to the swamy (pudavai) eleai with broken coconut banana fruits and thamboolam. Then camphor karpoora arathi to swamy elai and then to all pondugal. In some families no kalpoora harathy. Then offer one uthirni of water from pancha pathram first to the swamy elai and then to each pondugal on their right hand. they have to drink this all in 5. the same time. then saapaadu can start. after meals is over for all the sumangalis pour one uthirini of water first to swami elai and then to all and they have to take in the same time. nobody should get up half way through.move the pudavai kalam to north. After the meals the ladies should br given neer mor, paanakam, sukku vellam. then smear haldi on their legs and put nalangu on their legs,offer flowers chandanam kumkumam.give them thamboolam and chunnam. keep in a plate the gifts=for each betel pakku banana dhakshinai, blouse bit co conut with husk gundu manjal,comb ,mirror, glass bangles,eyetex,maruthani, give this on their pallu (pudavai thalapu)Give manjal akshadai on their hand do namaskaram and ask them to bless.you. give the dhaavani to the kanya pon who will be your grand daughter. The kartha and the other daughter in law of that house will share the swamy elai meals.These pondugals should not take food at that night. they can take fruits and milk.In the evening in an auspicious time the daughter of that family or sister in law will wear the pudavai and then after sometime it will be placed on the palakai. only on the next day the pudavai will be given to the daughter of the family or to some poor class people according to the family custom. If the daughter is not wearing 9 yards daily that 9 yards may be taken by the daughter in law or sister in law and a 6 yards saree will be given to the daughter.In some family this pudavai is kept in the loft in a mud pot and in the next time when they are doing this the old one from loft will be used by the daughter and the new one will go to the loft with the mud pot. In the evening in an auspicious time the daughter of the kartha or the sister in law member of that family must do like this and also male members after taking bath should do as written above, decorate both the mirror and saree and M I L "S photo with thodutha pushpam and in some families they are putting marapachi in front of the mirror, , Sumangali Prarthana, . This is a ritual seeking the blessings of women of the family who are no more; something akin to the nandi sradham, only there are no vedic rituals or mantras in this ritual. It is purely a ladies’ function. In most families this function is performed during important events like marriage, upanayanam etc, while in some families it is performed every year. It is believed that performing this puja will satisfy the unfulfilled yearnings of all the girls and ladies who have passed away at young age and they would in turn bless the family. It is common practice to conduct the Sumangali Prarthana before the marriage if the daughter is getting married and after the new daughter-in-law comes home if the son is getting married. This function is not performed on Tuesdays or Saturdays.Usually, 7 ladies and 2 young girls (preferably below the age of 10) are invited to participate in the function, partake the feast and receive thamboolam. There is no objection for near relatives of the hostess to participate. Now a days many people do with 7 (6+1) or (5+2) ladies as it has become difficult to get together the 9 ladies to sit for the function. Usually only sumangalis are only invited for the purpose though I have heard that there are exceptions to this rule. Different families follow different customs. The ladies who sit for the puja represent all the women of the family who are no more alive. Since there is no explicit avahanam through manthrams of any pithrus, ladies generally accept the invitation. This function is very akin to the nandi sradham performed prior to the upanayanam in many respects. While nandi sradham is presided over and conducted by the purohitha of the family and the kartha is a gent; this function is presided over by the elderly lady members of the family. Usually the kartha is a sumangali from the family. The gifts to the ladies vary among families and also depend on the financial status of the kartha, very similar to the nandi sradham. The menu for the feast is also very similar. Though no vedic rituals are performed, Sumangali Prarthana is considered to be a very important and sacred function and all the preparations are done with a great deal of Shradha and Bhakthi. This is one function where the gents of the family are excluded from the rituals. They are asked to enter the hall only after initial puja is offered to do namaskarams and seek the blessings. Otherwise, they can stick around to offer any help around or in the kitchen and then await call for lunch, when the ladies have been fed and seen off. The consent and convenience of all the prospective participants would have been obtained in advance and there would always be a few standbys for any unexpected dropouts. In the olden days, the preparations for the function had to start the previous evening. Armed with a bucket of oil and packets of turmeric powder, kumkum, flowers, betel leaves and nuts, and shikakai powder, we would go to all the invitees’ houses and invite them giving a measure of oil and the other things we carried. The items were for the lady’s bath and adornment the next day. I am not sure if the custom is being followed anywhere today. Perhaps, these days one would have to carry, shampoo sachets, moisturizing cream, lipstick and the like. We did not have that invitation round this time at our home as most of the participants were from the family and immediate family. All the participants are supposed to take an oil bath in the morning and come dressed in 9 yards saree only. There is no match to the beauty of the ladies all dressed in nine yards sarees and with no make up other than turmeric powder in their face and flowers in their hair, fresh from an oilbath.In memory of those souls who are no more with us, a new 9 yards saree and pavadai as offering (these two would be used by some members of the family after the puja) are kept in wooden trays, along with oil, betel leaves, flowers, turmeric, kumkum and neem leaves early in the morning and the blessings are sought. This has to be done by a member of the family before taking bath! In all our rituals, I have not some across another ritual which is done before taking bath. As I was staying at a neighboring house (not enough space for all invitees at home), my mother sent word for me at 5.30am. I sent back the messenger as I was yet to bathe. My mother sent the messenger back saying, “I want her to come here before taking bath”. It has been a long time since I myself conducted this ritual. When my astute and blessed mother-in-law was alive, she used to take care of these little things and I used to be busy in the kitchen.My mother made me offer the saree and pavadai with oil and other items to the elders (who are in heaven) and asked me to pray for their blessings for the family. This done, the saree had to be washed and dried before the actual function.In some families new dresses for all the girls and ladies of the family are bought and kept at the puja and later on used by the family members. Anyway, not all the dresses are washed prior to the function. Though the cooking for this function is usually done by the women in the family, the hired cook prepared the feast as all of us were quite tired after the poonool. An elaborate lunch (again samaradhanai vattam) was prepared includingParikkai pitla,Vazhakkai kariChakka kari,Pudalangai thoran,Payar thoran,Pachadi,Kichadi,Parippu,Rasam ThogayalPayasam.The menu also included three types of fruits, mango, jackfruit and banana. Vadai and Neiyappam were also prepared. It is a practice at home to make polis which was discontinued this time as no one was in a mood to have more sweets. When all the invited ladies arrive, they are received with kumkum, haldi, flowers and pachai (rouge!). This pachai is a paste made of kumkum and water and is applied on both sides of the cheek outside the earlobes. They are then taken to the function hall where a place has been marked for each one with two places for the deceased seniors at the head of the hall. The saree and pavadai meant for the deceased seniors are kept in the palakai along with some gold chain and flowers and betel leaves, neemleaves, turmeric and kumkum. Banana leaves are laid out for serving food at the place where the saree and pavadai are kept (this place is called pudavai kalam – meaning where pudavai or saree is kept) meant for the departed souls and also for all the invited participants, after having invoked the departed seniors. After all the items are served on the leaves, puja is done offering flowers, turmeric powder, kumkum betel leaves, neem leaves and water to the departed souls and all the invitees, by the eldest lady of the family .The other members of the family including male members offer puja and namaskarms at the pudavai kalam site only. Doopam and Deepam are offered at the place where elders are invoked, i.e., at the pudavai kalam and also to all the participating ladies by the eldest lady of the family. This is one of the functions where ladies are served first. After lunch, the ladies are given a special mixture called Chukkumanam (mixture of dried ginger and jaggery) as a digestive aid after the heavy meal. They are also given paanakam to drink. They are offered thamboolam, dakshina and mehendi. These days, people give more expensive gifts like sarees, bangles, and the like to the invited ladies. After the invited ladies are seen off, the other members of the family have their lunch. The food served at pudavai kalam ( the two places earmarked for the departed ) is partaken of by two ladies of the family.After lunch the saree and pavadai are given to some family members who have to wear them and replace them at the same place. In the night a pot of water is also kept near the pudavai kalam to quench the thirst of the heavenly visitors.In the olden days (during the time of my grandmother), the saree kept at the pudavai kalam was kept inside a trunk after the function and worn only after the next Sumangali Prarthana. The saree inside the box, kept after the previous Sumangali Prarthana was taken out on this occasion and worn by a member of the family. It so happened that sometimes the interval between two Sumangali Prarthanas was too long and by the time the saree was taken out it would have started wearing out. Hence after my grandmother passed away, the elders in the family decided to discontinue this practice of keeping the saree inside a box. Thus ended the grand finale to our big get together. All the guests started taking leave one by one from that evening with loads and loads of happy memories of the past few days.
 
Namaskaram sir, very detailed and informative reply, every one should know. in my family after my father demised 10yrs back, there is no occasion to perform this..now i am going to conduct upanayanam to my son on coming aavani. Unfortunately now my only sister also not sumangali. how can i perform the S.P..?
 
Namaskaram,
I want to give laksham mangal kizangu to sumangalis. can someone help me in giving the details of how it is to be done. I saw a post on the same topic a few days ago. I am not able to find it now. Thanks,
Jayashree
 
முதலில் விநாயகர் பூஜை, 45 நாட்களூக்குள் லக்ஷம் மஞ்சள் தானம் செய்வதாக ஸங்கல்பம். கலச ஸ்தாபனம். ஒரு லிட்ட்ர் தன்ணீர் கொள்ளூம் அளவு உள்ளது.ஒரு பித்தளே சொம்பில் 10 ம் நம்ப்ர் நூல் சுற்றீ சந்தனம் குங்குமம் இட்டு தேங்காய் மாவிலை கொத்து, கூர்ச்சம் வைத்து சொம்பினுல் தன்ணீர் ஊற்றீ பச்சை கர்பூரம், ஏலக்காய் போட்டு தரையில் கோலம் போட்டு அதன் மேல் ஒரு கிலோ கோதுமை பரப்பி, அதன் மேல் வாழை இலை போட்டு அதன் மேல் ஒரு கிலோ பச்சரிசி பரப்பி அதன் மேல் இந்த கலச சொம்பை வைக்கவும்.

நான்கு சாஸ்திரிகள்<//ப்ரோஹிதர் வரசொல்லி, லலிதா தேவியை கலசத்தில் ஆவாஹனம் செய்து 16 உபசார பூஜை செய்து ருத்திரம், சமகம், புருஷ ஸூக்தம், ஶ்ரீ ஸூக்தம், துர்கா ஸூக்தம். பாக்கிய ஸூக்க்தங்கள் சொல்லி அவர்களூக்கு சாப்பாடு, தக்ஷினை கொடுத்து
சமாராதனை மாதிரி செய்யவும்.

நான்கு சுமங்கலி பெண்கள்
வரசொல்லி இவர்கலூக்கு கால்களீல் நலங்கு இட்டு, வெர்றீலை. பாக்கு பழம், புஷ்பம், தக்ஷினை, சீப்பு, கண்ணாடி,மஞ்சள்> குங்குமம்
கொடுத்து, ரவிக்கை துண்டு, கண்மை, மருதானி பவுடர் கொடுத்து சாப்பாடு போட்டு அனுப்ப வேண்டும்.

லக்ஷம் மஞ்சள் கிழங்குகலை நூறூ நூறாக ஆயிரம் பாக்கட்டுகலீல் அல்லது ஐநூறூ ஐநூறாக இரு நூறூ பாக்கட்டுகள் செய்து கொண்டு
45 நாட்கலூக்குள் கொடுத்து விட வேண்டும். கொடுக்கும் போது ஒவ்வொருவருக்கும் , குங்குமம், வெர்றீலை பாக்கு, தக்ஷிணை, பழம், புஷ்பம் மஞ்சள் பாக்கட்டுடன் கொடுத்து வரவும்.

அவரவர் financial status க்கு தகுந்த மாதிரி செய்யலாம்.
 
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