Fw: Sumangali Prarthanai(SP)

[Guest guest]

Dear All :

 

Srimathy Yamini Suresh of Bombay has assembled

valuable information on the observance of Sumangali

PraarTanai and sent it to me . It is my pleasure to forward

this artcile to you for use in your families by Sumangalis .

 

V.Sadagopan

 

 

Sumangali PrArTanai : Why is it done?

***************************************

 

To honour all the departed Sumangalis of the family.

It is not necesary that all families follow this

custom. There are families where this Sumangali

Prarthanai is not done - my own Father's family does

not have this practice.

 

When is it done ?

*****************

Preferably Friday, Wednesday, Monday,Sunday (in that

order) - definitely not to be held on Saturdays and

Tuesdays and Amavasai.

 

Normally held before major functions like Weddings,

Seemandham, Poonal etc. Some families have a it once

in a year.

 

Sumangali Prarthanai in a family is never done more

than once in a year. ie if there are 2 Weddings in a

year then SP is done before one only.

Not held within a year of a death in the family.

 

 

How and what is to be done?

*********************************

The married girl(Sumangali) of the house is the main**

person for this function and needs to be there. 5

people sit for the feast which includes one kanya girl

too.

 

A 9 yards saree is bought for the main** person. A

dress or pavadai chattai for the kanya ponnu. for the

other 3 ladies, blouse pieces, sarees, mirror, comb

etc along with the thambolam are given.

 

The Karta- Sumangalis of a family.

Normally all ladies wear 9 yards sari for the

function.

 

The new saree for the main** is dipped in water and

dried. The the 'madi' sari is pleted (koshuvi - in

tamil)beautifully and put on a maNai/palaga and a

Tirumangalyam - thali is put on the podavai. It is

also decorated with chains and some flowers. All the

tamboolams and gifts offered to the sumangalis are

kept in front of the decorated sari. Mahalakshmi's

photo can be kept beside too.

 

The main** has an oil bath in the morning. All the

ladies should be in madi clothes only. Nothing should

be eaten before the function.

 

Special food is cooked - some houses manja pongal,

gotsu, other houses kalyana sapadu etc. (specific to

family). Ellu urundai or ellu podi is also prepared.

A banana leaf is put in front of the sari and all

these dishes made are served . The sari is supposed to

represent the departed sumangalis. A glass of water

also is kept.

 

After this, the door of the room/ puja room where the

food is served is closed.( The departed Sumangalis are

supposed to come and partake of the meal served and

bless the family).

 

After 5-10 minutes. The karta the puja just claps

their hands outside the room and then opens the door.

The 4 sumangalis and kanya are called in and turmeric

is applied to their feet. they are given water to wash

their feet.

 

Now the 4 sumangalis and kanya are seated and offered

food. A little portion of the food from the departed

Sumangalis banana leaf is distributed to each of the 5

ladies/girl. The meal is served. After they finish ,

they wash their hands and they are given the gifts and

tamboolam. They change into their new saris if they

are given. If they are elders, then namaskarams are

done to them.

 

That evening the Sumangalis who sat for the Sumangali

Prarthanai should have tiffin only and should not have

a full meal with rice etc.

 

We all need to learn the age old customs and follow them

in earnest to the best of our ability. Any more information on this

is Welcome.

 

Ramanuja dasi