Is it right to change the thirumangalya-caradu on suitable days?
Vidwan’s reply
Yes, it is right to change the caradu on suitable days at proper time avoiding rahu-kalam and yama kantam. Exceptions are for Tuesdays and Fridays.
Is it a must that sumangali women and children should eat cooked rice at nights?
Vidwan’s reply
There are no norms that they should eat cooked rice at night. During days like Ammavasai, it is specified for a few to take tiffin. However, Sumangali women are exempted from this.
Some households still follow the practice of women, children eating rice at night. As they feel on those days, where Sumangali Women and children should not eat palakaram(tiffin) alone, and partaking tiffin may get counted as palakaram. To avoid that they are having the habit of eating rice at night. Though this is not stipulated by scriptures, it is not wrong to follow this practice as a cautionary approach.
Based on what time should the monthly periods be calculated?
Vidwan’s reply
The periods if it occurs before 1am should be considered the same day; if it is after 1 am it is considered the next day.
Can women and children take oil baths during the Adi festival?
Vidwan’s reply
Children can be given oil baths during Adi-festival. Some believe that since Dakshinaya punyakalam occurs during Adi-festival, women take hair bath; some household elders permit taking oil bath so it is better to follow the practice of an individual household.
What are the rituals that working women must observe without avoiding them?
Vidwan’s reply
There are no separate rules for working women and non-working women. All women should follow the prescribed rules. Many working women balance the practice of following the virtues and working. There is no harm in doing so.
What should be the dharma followed by both woman and husband during periods – other than not performing kitchen duties or bhagavath karyam. What should be the procedure followed to resume duties after 3 day period