ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In preparation of my cultural studies assignment, I had to take the help and guidance of

some respected persons, who deserve my deepest thanks

As the completion of this assignment gave me much pleasure, I would like to show my

gratitude Sir Muhammad Fariz Bin Salbani our lecturer of subjects’ cultural studies on

KOLEJ YAYASAN JOHOR for giving me good guidelines for assignment throughout

numerous consultations. I would also like to expand my gratitude to all those who have

directly and indirectly guided me in writing this assignment.

Thanks for giving an opportunity to make studies about a culture about life cycles

This is a really a beautiful opportunity for me and my classmates to make research

about a culture.

Many people, especially our classmates and team members itself, have made valuable

comment suggestions on this proposal which gave us an inspiration to improve our

assignment. We thank all the people for their help directly and indirectly to complete our

assignment.

Finally, thank to our beloved friend that always stick together and also work hard to

produce a good assignment with all afford and responsibility. Hope that all the afford will

give a lot of benefits to us and also to our group project. Million thank also we wish to all

our classmate because they also help us in doing our group. They always give us ideas

and comments on our project so that we can improve our project in many ways

1
INTRODUCTION TO MALAYALI

Malayali or also known as Malayalee is a caste or an ethnic group who living in the
south part of India as can be easily says the neighbor state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of
the smallest Indian states, with 38,863 square kilometers and a 1981 population of
25,453,680 persons. Malayalis are defined simply as those who speak a language
called Malayalam. Malayalam, the native language of Malayalis, has its origin from the
words mala meaning "mountain" and Alam meaning "land" or "locality". They do have
their dance, martial arts, traditional cuisine & festivals

Not only Malayalis are Hindu but there are Muslim Malayalis and Christian Malayalis in
Kerela

Kerala is truly God’s own country. With backdrops that include gorgeous beaches,
backwaters, coconut and palm trees and greenery grasslands, Kerala has something for
everyone. Just like a variety in backdrops, Kerala is also home to a variety of cultures
and religions. And these come to light when you decide to look into them, via their
customs and traditions for one of the core threads to the society

Ayurveda in Kerala can be dated back to as long as 2000 years. It is an ancient

treatment in which not only the body but the mind is also totally rejuvenated. Earlier this
was done only by the natives but now it has become famous especially among the other
native Indians and Foreigners

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CUISINE - FOOD OF KERALA

The food of Kerala consists of a wide variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
The food consists of fish, meat, poultry and rice preparations. Kerala food is loaded with
many spices as well. Kerala Sadya is a banquet meal prepared during functions and
festivals. Coconut is grown in abundance in Kerala. Hence they use coconut oil and milk
in thickening flavours. Kerala food consists of many rice preparations like idli, dosa, etc.
which are made from a batter prepared from rice. Chillies, curry leaves, mustard seeds,
turmeric powder and asafoetida, are all frequently used.

CLOTHING AND TRADITIONAL DRESSES OF KERALA

Women of Kerala wear sarees and blouse. During festivals, they wear set sarees called
Kasavu. Men wear 'mundu' which is a long piece of a garment wrapped around their
waist in a certain manner. Mundu, an integral part of Kerala Culture is similar to a lungi
and a dhoti. Younger generations mostly wear western clothing. However, lungis are
still very common for casual occasions whereas sarees are worn for formal occasions.

FOLK DANCE AND MUSIC

The folk dance of Kerala consists of the Kaikotti Kali dance, Kuthiyottam dance,
Tiruvathira Dance, Thirayattam dance, Kakkarissi Kali, etc. Kanniyar Kali (also known
as Desathukali) is a dance done in front of Goddess Bhagvaty. It is one of the oldest
folk dances. It is a fast-moving dance to the rhythmic devotional folk tune. Kaikotti Kali
folk dance (also known, as Thiruvathirakali) is performed by women of Kerala by
dancing in symmetric circles. It is often performed during festive seasons like
Thiruvathira and Onam.

Women sing Thiruvathira songs, which are full of literary wealth. The women dance
gracefully and move in clockwise and anti-clockwise circles while clapping their hands.
Kuthiyottam Dance is popular in the district of Thiruvananthapuram and is performed in
temples in front of deities. There are 4 participants in the dance. The songs are sung
during the dance are Padapattu and Kalaripattu. Thirayattom dance is performed during
the festival of kavus. The dance includes the use of torches. The Kuravas folk from the

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Thiruvananthapuram district perform the Kakkarissi Kali. This dance involves a lot of
enthusiasm from its participants.

Drums are also played during the dance. Dappu Kali is a dance that uses an instrument
called dappu. The dancers are even in number and form two rows and keep switching
sides. Kolkali dance is a group dance form of the farming community, which men and
women move in circles with sticks in their hand and clash the sticks together.
Kalaripayattu is a type of swordplay in which men use swords and move around
gracefully as if defending and hitting each other. Kathakali dance involves 'story play' in
which the dancers put on heavy costume and makeup and tell a story through their
dances. There are other dances as well like Parichamuttu Kali, Ayyappan vilakku,
Sarpam thullal and Poorakkali.

FESTIVALS OF KERALA

Onam is a 10-day harvest festival celebrated in Kerala in the month of August -

September. The festival is celebrated with grandeur. There are fairs and contests for
people to indulge in. The floors are decorated with flower designs; there are dances for
celebration and a snake boat race (Aranmula Boat Race) contest called Vallamkali is
also carried out. The tenth or the last day of Onam is said to be most important and is
one of the most popular manifestations of Culture of Kerala.

Vishu is the New Year for the Keralites. The first month is called Medam, which usually
comes around April. Vishukani are the various offerings made to Lord Krishna on this
day.'Vishu Pulari' is a ritual of waking up early in the morning and seeing God's face
first. On this day, the elders give their children some form of a gift.

Thrissur Pooram is celebrated in the month of Medam. It is a festival of the

temples in which two traditional groups called Thiruvambai and Paramekkavu
compete against each other and showcase their best in the contest by clothing
their elephants in beautiful garments and having different huge umbrellas.

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BIRTH CEREMONY OF MALAYALI

The arrival of a baby is a big occasioning done by the house members traditionally, the
new mother has 90 days rest after birth during which she received considerable support
of relatives and was treated with herbal baths and massage

1. PULI-KUTI

There is no ceremony associated with the pregnancy of a woman. The Paliya make
separate hut called vannapura for delivery of women. Mother and the other elderly
woman in the settlement act as midwives.

Before the baby is born there some ceremony done for the pregnant mommy, the
ceremony name called PULI-KUTI which means drinking tamarind juice. It is done in
the ninth month of the pregnancy, at the ( MUGARTHAM).

The pregnant woman, after having bathed and properly attired, is seated facing
eastwards in the principal courtyard (natu-muttam) of the Tharavaad (ancestral family
house).

The Ammayi or maternal uncle’s wife and the brother of the pregnant woman conduct
this ceremony.

Among the other communities, the pregnancy ritual is fairly simple. The mother-to-be’s
parents and relatives come to her house during the seventh month to take her back to
her maternal home. They bring traditional sweets and are offered a traditional meal.

Soon after the birth of the child, the mother and the baby are given a hot water shower.

5
2. NAMAKARANAM

'Perital' chadangu (Namakaranam) or Baby Naming of babies in Kerala is done when

they are 28 days old, or 56 days. A black thread or chain -an aranjanam is tied around
the baby's waist on the 28th day. So this is also called 'Noolukettu' chadangu.

Gold ornaments are not worn below the hip. The black thread around the hip of the
baby which would also carry rings made of five different metals is supposed to protect
the baby from bad demons.

In Southern parts of Kerala, naming is performed on the 27th day if it is a baby girl.
Baby is bathed and adorned with ornaments.

The child's eyes are lined with mayye or kanmashi (Kohl) (Applying kohl or kaajal was
not a habit for us, the main reason being the suspicion about purity of the kohl.
Whenever we applied it, we made sure to make it at home, from the 'nilavilakku')

. A black spot is placed on one cheek or asymmetrically on the forehead, to ward off the
evil eyes. The father whispers the name in the child's right ear three times while the left
ear is covered with a betel leaf. This is then repeated with the left ear.

Blessings are bestowed as Aashirwad and also gifts are showered with the tradition of
bringing good luck to the child. A mixture of ghee (melted and clarified butter) and
honey is given to the infant as a base for its various foods in the future.

Sometimes honey and vayambu (sweet flag) with a tiny bit of gold that is scraped on a
stone is given (It is called oramarunnu- supposed to make one's words sweet to the
listeners' ears. Hence the song 'Thenum vayambum naavil thookum vanambady'- The
nightingale which sings with honey and sweet flag in its sound).

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3. CHOROONU

For Hindus in Kerala, 'choroonu' ceremony marks the first solid meal for babies.
Choroonu ceremony (Annaprashan) marks the introduction of the first solid food to a
baby. This is held in a temple usually.

We can book it (like weddings and other functions in temples) earlier itself, especially in
the more famous temples like Guruvayoor, and all the necessary food items are
prepared by the temple authorities. We do not need to bring any of the food items if it is
performed in a temple

. (As of this also marks the baby's first entry in a temple, we have to remember to
urinate the baby before the function outside the temple. Nowadays since people use
diapers it is not a serious issue, but otherwise, it is not good if the baby pees inside the
temple- the parents are sometimes asked to pay for conducting a cleansing puja).

The baby is given a bit of rice, sugar, salt, ghee, daal, fruit, and sometimes little
vegetables all served in a piece of banana leaf. The baby is dressed in a kasavu mundu
(and they look irresistibly cute!) and the father and mother and any close relative feed
the baby with tiny bits of the food.

It is a beautiful ceremony and a landmark in the baby's life. 'Choroonu' in Kerala is

usually performed when the baby is 140-168 days old, which is between his/her 5th and
6th month, calculated according to the Malayalam calendar.

However this can be done later than this also, like in case, when the baby is born
premature, or due to some other reason. It is best to consult an astrologer to decide the
date and muhurtham.

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4. VIDYARAMBHAM

The next important ceremony occurs between the child’s third and fifth birthday. Usually
occurring at the temple of Sarasvati, the goddess of speech and learning, the child is
inducted into the letters with the ceremony of vidyarambham, Seated before the Ganesh
stature, the child’s finger is placed in rice and, after a written salutation to the deity, the
child’s finger is carefully guided through the rice as it traces out each letter of the
alphabet. A popular place for such ceremonies if Tirur (in northern Malappuram district)
the birthplace of Tunchat Ezhuthachan, the acclaimed ‘Father of Malayalam’

They write "Om Hari Shree Ganapathaye Nama: Avighnamasthu" (Om, Lord Vishnu,
Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, we pray to you- let there be no interruption to our
learning or actions). This is done in front of Lord Ganesha (the One who helps to
overcome obstacles and is the epitome of knowledge, wisdom, and kindness) and
Goddess Saraswathy's idol, as She is the Goddess of all kinds of Learning and Arts. For
Christians in Kerala also the ceremony is done with some modifications.

Vidyarambham is done on Vijayadasami day, which is the tenth and culminating day of
the Navratri festival. On Mahanavami which is the ninth day of the Navratri festival, we
keep all books and tools for Ayudha pooja in a temple or at home. (Ayudha Puja is an
integral part of the Navratri festival (festival of triumph), a Hindu festival that is
traditionally celebrated in India. It is also called "Astra Puja", the synonym for Ayudha
Puja. In simple terms, it means “Worship of Implements”).

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5. MUDIYEDUPPU

Another important ceremony is that of head shaving, and some parents travel to the
famous Vishnu temple in Tirupathi for this ritual. In a gesture of submission to the deity,
the child's head is shaved after which the family makes puja ( an act of worship ) to the
deity. All newborn babies' head MUST be shaved as soon as they are born so that they
would grow new, clean and healthy hair that will be thicker and prettier

Cutting the hair of the child for the first time is known as mudiyeduppu. Generally, it is
done when the child completes one year. The presence of mama (mother's brother) is
required on this occasion. The hair of the baby has to be cut first by the mama. The
maternal uncle is given dakshina and those who can afford to give veshti (dhoti) they
give veshti too. The mama and mami take food from the child’s house on that day.
Those who can afford to give a feast to the relations do so on such occasions

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MARRIAGE CEREMONY OF MALAYALI

Age for marriage for a Malayalam girl is eighteen years and that of a Malayalam boy is
twenty-two years. The Malayalis express that a Malayalis should not marry one's, blood
relatives. On a query as to whom they should marry and whom they should not, it is said
that a Malayali marries according to the mura (procedure) they can marry their cross
cousins and the cross cousins are their potential mates. Marriages among cross
cousins are approved. Parallel cousins are treated at the same level as one's brothers
or sisters.

Malayalee Wedding is pleasurable and rituals are full of fun. Close relatives and friends
take part actively in the numerous ceremonies. There are no strict rules in the
Malayalee marriage. It is typically a very simple and sweet event.

The Malayalee wedding customs are simple. The marriage ritual lasts for a short period
known as the ‘Muhurtham’. The close relatives and friends of the bride side and the
groom’s side come together to celebrate the rituals and enjoy every moments. The
Malayalee marriage customs are often arranged in village temple.At present two types
of marriages are found among them. They are called Chernnathu and Kalyanam

CHERNATHU: In the case of chernnathu elaborate rites are not observed. In this
system, a boy and girl fall in love with each other and they start living together after
informing their parents. There are several cases of this type of marriage. The women
who have undergone this type of marriage do not have tali (gold piece having a cup
shape with a yellow thread hung
from the neck). They tie only a thread without tali.

KALYANAM: The negotiated marriage is known as kalyanam. The negotiation is

carried out between the parents of the bridegroom and the bride. The initiation has to
come first from the bride groom's side. The boy and the girl are given a chance to see
each other. If the boy and the girl like each other, then the day for the marriage is fixed
by the parents of the bridegroom and the bride

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WEDDING RITUALS AND PROCEDURE OF MALAYALIS

 Pre Wedding Traditional Rituals in Malayalee Wedding:

 Muhurtham Ritual :

First of all, MUHURTHAM means good time and day. It’s a essential rituals done
by the malayali. Since Kerala is one a famous country for good/god rituals and
black magic as well. The people in the country trust horoscope very well. They
won’t proceed anything or any event in their life without consult an astrologer
even it’s a car buying.so when comes to wedding they will be more strict or more
precise with the astrology
Horoscope matching is an important ritual in a traditional malayalee marriage. By
consulting astrologer, compatibility between the boy and girl is checked and if the
horoscopes of the boy and girl match, then some or few auspicious date are
given to the parents to choose the date base on their wish. After the date is
selected the astrologer will suggest some time to knot the tali which means the
time wedding should happen. Lastly the auspicious date and time are fixed and
its called MUHURTHAM
When the astrologer tell that the horoscope between the bridegroom and bride is
not matching, immediately they will the wedding rituals without any delay
because Malayalis trust that their life is fully conger by 12 planets in the birth
chart
Every culture has its own unique customs that make it special in its own way.
These are the rituals of a Kerala Hindu wedding that make it a simple affair and
yet so beautiful and elegant. The bride has her own poise and the groom brings a
sense of magnificence to the wedding.

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 NISCHAYAM CEREMONY :

Nischayam is a pre wedding rituals too in simple word it is called as promise. Its
a rituals to tell promise or to make a promise that the wedding couple and their
parents make. This ceremony is to announce, share and celebrate the joyful
event of the confirmation of marriage. Official comparation and approved
horoscopes are exchanged during this ceremony. During the celebration, there
may be a mothiram maattal (ring exchange) ceremony is a traditional ring. Apart
that the groom side will announce that how many gram gold they gonna give to
bride and its same goes to bride’s parents they have tell how many gold &
properties they going to give the groom. The family members give gifts to each
other or the bride and groom.
Nischayam is mainly an engagement ceremony, in which the elders make the
announcement to their family friends and relatives about their child`s
engagement.

 TRADITIONAL FEAST:

This ceremony normally would happen at bride house or a venue that fixed by
bride side. the bride's family organizes a party for the guests. The traditional party
offers a delicious vegetarian meal for the guests to savory. The bride is made to
sit facing the east. She takes a traditional five-course vegetarian meal with her
loving family members.

 MEHENDI CEREMONY:

This ceremony takes place at the bride’s house where the bride’s aunts or friends
apply mehendi on her hands. This is a very celebrated ceremony. On this day
close friends and relatives will attend this ceremony. Thus they will enjoy this
ceremony with fully joyment with dance, song tracks and alcohols .

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 Wedding Traditional Rituals In Malayalee Wedding:

 Dakshina Kodukkal:

Both the bride and bridegroom receive the blessings of elders by giving
“Dakshina,” consisting of a betel leaf, a ripe arecanut and a coin and then
touching their feet. This ceremony takes place at their respective homes.
Thereafter, the parties leave to the wedding venue.

 Thaali Kaatu & Kanyadaan :

For a Malayalam couple, this is the main ceremony. It starts off by the ceremonial
welcome for the groom and his family. This is then followed by the bride’s entry in
an extravagant way. This makes both the bride and groom feel so special on
their special day

All the wedding ceremonies are performed in front of a Veli (holy fire The bride is
now escorted by her aunt or mother to the mandapam to the sound of
thenadaswarams and is made to stand facing to the east, with the groom facing
her.
At the auspicious moment set by the astrologer for the muhurtham (the most
auspicious time), the groom ties the golden 'thaali' which is strung from a yellow
thread around the bride's neck and this is accompanied by a special beating of
drums (Ketti melam) and the ceremonial ululating sounds made by women (Vai
Kurava).
Sometimes the actual tying of the knot of the Thaali thread is done by the sister
of the bridegroom if needed.).

After this, the actual Kanyadaanam ritual is done, The father of the bride hands
over his daughter to her husband. He takes it and places her hand in her to-be
husbands as a sign that she is now a part of you and together you are one

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 Sparsham Ritual:

The end of Kanyadaanam ritual is followed by Sparsham. As a part of this ritual,

the groom is made to sit in front of the bride. He is asked to tilt his head
backwards, so as to touch his wife`s forehead. After this, while chanting mantras,
the bride puts some puffed rice into the fire. The groom is then asked to lift his
wife`s foot and place it on the Ammi (grinding stone). It represents the breaking
of old ties. Afterward, the groom takes the bride`s foot forward seven times with
his hand. It symbolizes her entry into the new family.

 Pudamuri

The bridegroom gifts the bride a sari and a blouse on a platter, conveying to her
that he will now assume the responsibility of providing for her life. This ritual is
called “Pudamuri.”
The couple exchange garlands accepting each other as life partners. The bride’s
father places her right hand in the right hand of the bridegroom, symbolically
transferring the responsibility of taking care of his daughter, in holy matrimony.
Then, older relatives bless and escort them to another room. Even the guest
follow and bless them with gifts

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 Post Wedding Traditional Rituals In Malayalee Wedding:

 Sadya (Feast):
After the blessings, the whole party is invited to take part in a strictly vegetarian
feast
A typical meal in Kerala is known as Sadya. It is an elaborate affair consisting of
twenty-five items. It includes rice, at least three varieties of pickles, curries and
sweets. Coconut preparations also form an integral part of most of the items.
Traditionally, the food is served on on plantain leaves.
The wedding guests sit and fresh green plantain leaves, duly washed, are placed
before them. There is no cutlery as the custom is to eat with one’s own hands.

 Kudi Veppu

(Entering the bridegrooms house) - This ritual involves the first entry of the newly
wed in to the bridegroom's house. The groom's mother and elder female relatives
perform aarti with an oil lamp (which rests on a platter heaped with rice mixed
with turmeric) and receive them at the entrance. Both bride and groom enter the
house, right foot forward. The bride carries the lit oil lamp that her mother-in-law
gives her after arthi, symbolizing prosperity.

 Adukkala Kaanal /Nallavaathil

This is the official visit of the bride's parents and relatives to the house of the
bridegroom after the marriage on a mutually decided date. there will be a
grand feast. As the name of the custom suggests, the girl's parents see and
get satisfied with the environment of the new house into which their daughter
is married. The custom is to see her daughter's new house and the
environment. This is the concluding custom related to the marriage
ceremony.

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TRADITIONAL RITUALS IN MALAYALEE DEATH:

Several rituals are to be performed for the peaceful and satisfactory send-off of the
inner soul (Aatmaavu) of the person who dies and to integrate the inner soul with Lord
Vishnu. These are to be done mainly by sons and grandsons (one each of each
daughter) of the dead person

Namboothiris(ASTROLGERS) believe in cremating the dead body, which should be

done as early as possible after death. Even arrival of sons and daughters need not be
awaited, as the dead body disintegrates fast

o When A Person In Dying State At House Or Hospital

the dying person should be transferred to a new grass mat on the floor if the death
occurs at home. They should not be allowed to die on a bed for 2 reasons
(1) death should take place in the arms of Mother Earth and the dying person should
remain conscious for as long as possible listening to the recitation of the name of God.
(2) the bed needs to be discarded afterwards as no one will sleep in it.
Water Kaasi Theertham ( holy water from holy places) has to be poured in the mouth of
the person by kith and kin. "
Recite or chant SHIVAN(GOD OF DEATH) mantra to give peace to the soul

o When A Person Already Die

The son who do the rituals or person who inherits the property of the parent should take
a bath. The chief mourner or KARTA in the case of the father it is the elder son and in
the mother's case it is usually the youngest son. Daughters may be appointed by the

Preparing the body for rituals

The funeral directors then collect the corpse and take it for washing and dressing. Most
funeral directors will accommodate the family who wishes to wash the body themselves.
The family members who can, should assist in this service and not leave it to strangers
to do it. Close relatives rub oil and seeka (bath powder) on the head of the dead person
before it is bathed. If the condition of the body permits, and the family desire it — it can
be given a bath with abishegam materials — milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sandal wood

16
paste etc. Males and widows should be dressed in white. Married women and girls
should be dressed in coloured garments orange, yellow or red. The big toes are tied
together with a piece of string. Place the hands with the two thumbs tied together on the
chest as if he or she is doing a namaskar. The whole procedure should be done without
commotion and weeping.

After the body has been dressed up, it should be placed for viewing in the coffin. For
men and widows either vibuti or chandanam is used to decorate the forehead. For
females the turmeric powder and kumkumam are used. A simple garland of flowers and
tulasi leaves(BASIL LEAVE) should be worn around its neck.

the family members and friends sit around the coffin — Thevaram or Divya prabandham
or bhajans can be sung without musical accompaniment

Before the coffin is removed, the ladies should pay their last respects first by placing
rice at or near the mouth. The relatives follow suit followed by friends. Women are not
advised to perform this ceremony at the crematorium

Before the coffin is removed a rice ball (Pinda) is offered at the place where the person
died or where the coffin has been. The coffin is taken out of the house with the legs first.
As it is taken out of the house another rice ball is offered on the threshold

The coffin is placed in the hearse and driven to the crematorium. Two persons should
accompany the body; the Karta who performs the rites and one other who could be an
elder in the family. The Karta should carry the earthen pot with the fire in it.

Those that remain at home will thoroughly clean the house and wash the floors etc. All
them take a bath after rinsing the clothes they were wearing and other things used.
Discard the bed, mat or any other spread on which the body was lying.

o At the Crematorium

After placing the coffin on the platform with its feet to the south, the performer of the
funeral rites should sit facing the south. The offering of 3 pindas should be performed,
then the Punyaha Vachana ceremony is done to purify the corpse prior The holy water
is sprinkled over the corpse.

17
Another pinda should be placed in the hand of the deceased. The corpse should be
anointed with the ghee and wood chips placed in the coffin. The eyes, mouth ears and
nostrils are covered with dollar coins.

Last prayers — this is the time to recite the prayers which can be either mantras, slokas
from the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, Thevaram, Divya Prabandham and Bhajans.

Finally the Karta carries a clay pot of water on the left shoulder. Another person - next of
kin, walks behind him with a sharp iron instrument.. The person with kin will poke 3
holes on the pot and both of them go around the coffin anti-clockwise three times The
water or Ganga is the medium that separates the dead from the living in this case the
nearest of the kin.

A fire should be lit in the clay vessel .Having invoked and worshipped the fire-god
named Kravyada with flowers and grains of white rice the fire is placed upon the coffin
as it is pushed into the incinerator.

o Post Cremation Rites

After leaving the crematorium the Karta offers three libations of water with sesame
seeds. The Karta should abstain from shedding tears while giving the post cremation
libations, because the deceased has to consume all the tears and snot that is shed.
Whatever things that were brought from the home should be left behind or discarded
and are not to be taken back home. Keep the place clean.

The mourners should then all go for bath in a river or the sea chanting some bhajans or
kirtans, with the youth walking ahead. The chief mourner should shave his head. If the
sea bath is not possible then all the mourners should at least visit the beach, spend
some time there and then return home. At the door of their houses they should chew
neem leaves, rinse their mouths with water and touching black sesame seeds, lawn
grass, or any other auspicious thing and touching their feet lightly on a stone should
enter the house and take a shower immediately with their clothes on.

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In the evening of the day of cremation

When the sun is setting the chief mourner should light a lamp of sesame oil and place it
under a tree out of the draft. If this is not possible then the lamp should be lit in a corner
of the house and kept burning for ten days or until the completion of the mourning
rituals.

At the time of lighting the lamp recite the following prayer and then pour water around
the lamp.

om andhakaara mahaa ghore mahattaa tamas-aavrute;

tamo nivaaran arthaaya imam deepam dadaamyaham

"O deceased one, surrounded by a terrible darkness, encompassed by the mode of

nescience, for the removal of that darkness, I offer this lamp to you"

Rules for Mourning

o The "mourners" are considered to be the close family members on the male side.
Women do not observe mourning rituals for their own parents but for the parents
of their husbands, since through marriage they change their "gotra".
o Sons and daughters observe the rituals for their parents. Parent's do not observe
for their children. Siblings can observe the rituals for each other.
o The The mourners should not eat meat, salt or drink alcohol, wear perfumes or
shave during the 10 days of mourning from the day of death onwards.
o Showering should be done daily with the minimum amount of luxury.
o Cooking should not be done in the house and all food should be brought from
friends' houses or take-away.
o The mourners should sleep on the ground and not engage in any form of
entertainment.
o It is customary not to greet anyone or even to return a greeting.
o Visitors to the house should not be entertained in anyway.

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Post Mourning Rituals On the 10th , 11th, 12th, and 13th day after the death, rituals are
performed in order to mark the termination of the social isolation of mourning and the
returning to normal life. Again these differ among the various communities.

These rituals consist of:

o Punyaha vachanam — A purification ceremony by holy water and bhajans(god

songs)
o Shanti Homa — a fire-ritual for peace of mind for the family and for the departed
one.
o Ananda Homa — for inviting a return to joyous living and severance with death
and mourning.
o Sapindi-karana — a rite to mark the transition of the deceased and a merging
with the ancestors.
o Shubha-svikrana — done on the 13th day — offerings are made to the 9 planets
and all the mourners bathe and wear new cloths. In the evening all the relatives
and friends are invited for a feast.
o Danam — giving gifts in charity. These are a minimum of five (1) sesame seeds
(2) clothing (3) gold (4) a water vessel (5) coconut representing a cow and the
price thereof. According to the wishes of the family a further 10 items may be
given or even 16. If 10 items are to be given they are: (1) Bhumi (potting mix) (2)
sesame seeds (3) gold (4) ghee (5) clothing (6) rice (7) Jaggery (8) salt (9) silver
(10) go-danam & a coconut and the price of a cow.

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CONCLUSION

The life cycle can be defined as birth, marriage, and death of a person which is the

transition period between childhood and adulthood. It marks a major transition in a

human lifestyle. Life cycle rituals are events or ceremonies to tell or inform change in a

person's biological or social status throughout their life. Such practices are found in

many societies and are often based on the traditions of a community. Life cycle rituals

may also have religious significance that is formed from different ideals and beliefs.

Different religion does have different procedures thus; the practice of each rite and ritual

has certain rules and conditions that must be adhered to. These can be different from

clothing, venue or places, time of day and recitation of prayers

Birth, maturity, marriage, reproduction, and death are the basic and universal events a

human being experiences in the whole of his or her life span. Here, the episode starts

from childbirth and passes to various stages which sanction an individual certain status

in the community and which prescribe certain role to perform. The role as an individual

into multiple roles when enters it into a family set up and then to a group

From this assignment I able to understand the important and the essential meaning of

doing a birth ceremony, marriage and funeral by following base on their own culture

Different culture may have different tradition and rites but in the end every ethnic is

teaching their generation about good and meaningful rituals

From this assignment I have learned to follow our own traditions because it’s very

important thing in our life.

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