What are the samskara-s that are to be followed when a girl attains her puberty?
Vidwan’s reply:
When a girl attains puberty, we should make her seated and offer her milk and banana. The banana should be cut into small pieces, she should take the banana piece first, and then we offer her milk. We can ask the younger boys in our home to hand her the milk and banana. If the elders give then they have to take bath before proceeding with other duties. If there is no one at home, the mother can place the milk and banana near her and ask the daughter to take them on her own.
There is a custom of giving manjal pongal on that day to the girl. Rice and Toor dal are cooked to a Pongal consistency with turmeric, ginger, pepper and cumin.
On the next day, any food made with Ulundu like vadai or rice has to be given.
On the third day, kunukku made of rice and fried in oil and appam should be given.
On the fourth day, she should apply oil on her head (on her own) and do a head bath. If she could not do it on her own, married women can do so. Then she is made to sit on a plank and nalangu should be applied and she shall be given a new set of clothes (pavadai dhavani), jewels and flowers are to be worn. In certain households they have a tradition of warding off evil by holding a lighted lamp from her head to toe.
Then a gift is given from her uncle, which is gift from the girl’s mother’s side and also from her relatives.
Importantly the girl is given puttu (a sweet dish) to eat. Some houses give puttu on the first day and some give it on the fourth day after the bath.
At the end, this can be concluded with manjal neer (turmeric water) and mangala song.
Can women offer camphor harathi for Perumal at home and can they accept the harathi after showing it to Perumal?
Vidwan’s reply:
No, women should not perform camphor harathi or worship the same in the Srivaishnava tradition.
Can women read Pancharathra Grantham?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is not a practice for the women to read Pancharathra Granthams.
How should married women decorate the Thulasi maadam and worship? Are there any specific rules and what slokas can one recite?
Vidwan’s reply:
There is no compulsion that married women should decorate and worship Thulasi maadam every day. If there is a Thulasi maadam, there will be a small space in it and one can simply light a lamp as there are no specific rules. One can meditate upon Goddess Mahalakshmi and recite Lakshmi slokas.
Can women recite Sundarakandam at home?
Vidwan’s reply:
It is not in practice from the olden days for women to recite Sundarakandam or participate in a santhai of Sundarakandam, but they can know its meanings and listen to its stories.
There is a specific regimen for reciting Srimad Ramayanam. Emepruman is invoked in the book and offerings are made. The book is placed on a wooden plank with reverence and recitation is done during the olden days. Women are not allowed to practice this tradition though times have changed. But this ancient practice is not in vogue now.
Can women recite Sri Suktam?
Vidwan’s reply:
No, women do not recite Sri Suktam.
Should women do Acamana after taking bath, wearing clothes and after applying Srichurnam or should they do Acamana after wearing clothes and then apply Srichurnam?
Vidwan’s reply:
Women should do Acamana only after taking bath, wearing clothes, and applying Srichurnam on the forehead.
For Astaksharajapam, should we follow this order of – doing Acamanam, Sankalpam, and Japam? What is the order for chanting Dvayam and Carama slokam for women?
Vidwan’s reply:
One must do Acamanam before chanting Ashtakshara japam. There is a specific dhyana slokam for chanting Astaksharam, Dwayam, and Carama slokam. The concerned Acarya would have taught it. After reciting the dhyana slokam women can do japam and there is no sankalpam as such for these.
How should a woman apply Srichurnam on her forehead as per Vadakalai Sampradayam? Some adorn only the srichurnam, while some do so with a small tiruman (after Acaraya samasharayanam) and a few others just wear a round vermillion dot.
Vidwan’s reply:
A woman should apply Thirmankappu below her eyebrow in a small v shape and red srichurnam should be applied from the base of the brow until the parting space on her forehead in a straight line.
It is said that during new moon day, turmeric should not be used to cook food; can women use turmeric during bath on Ammavasai and can one take oil bath on that day?
Vidwan’s reply:
During Ammavasai turmeric should not be used for cooking. But Sumangalis should use turmeric in their bath every day be it any day.
Which days are to be avoided for Sumangali prarthanai?
Vidwan’s reply:
Many Paramaikanthi-s do not conduct Sumagali prarthanai but some households follow their elders’ custom in conducting it. As this is an auspicious function it has to be conducted on any auspicious days devoid of Ashtami, Navami tithi, and Bharani Karthikai nakshatram.
Can women of our sampradayam wear glass bangles?
Vidwan’s reply:
Women of our sampradayam do not wear glass bangles as it does not conform with the orthodoxy.
It is used only during poochadal and seemandam and women are allowed to wear them just for the sake. Orthodox households do not allow women wearing glass bangles to do household duties.
How to celebrate if a festival occurs on the fourth day of the periods?
Vidwan’s reply:
If a festival occurs on the fourth day, the woman must not cook food for offering to Perumal, but they are allowed to wear new dresses, and firecrackers if it is Deepavali, eat sweets, and celebrate the festival.
Can we take oil bath if anyaa theetu occurs on Ekadasi, Dwadasi and Ammavasai days?
Vidwan’s reply:
Generally, one should not take an oil bath during Anyaa theetu. Some households have the practice of taking an oil bath during Anyaa theetu. It is better to follow the respective practices of the household.
