Tag Kumkum

How To Light A Lamp Why

The lamp should be lit both at dawn and dusk.

Preferable that a Lamp with five faces are used and all the five wicks are lit.

A lamp with a single wick should be used.

Of late I have noticed the tendency of lighting two wicks.

This is not the tradition.

Generally lighting or doing anything in even number is considered inauspicious.

Two always denotes conflict and resultant choice making makes life difficult.

Where as One signifies the ultimate Reality Brahman and Five, the Panchabutas nad Five Tanmatras.

If a single wick is lit, it should face either the East or North.

Wedding Other Function Invites Hindu Style.

Marriage is one of the most revered and important Customs in India, especially among the Hindus.

The procedures are elaborate, needs careful planning.

A typical Hindu Brahmin Marriage consists of, aside from seeing the bride to be, Betrothal, it has

Sumangali Prarthanai (read my post on this) when the departed Women who died leaving their Husbands behind are worshiped.

This is followed by Samaradhanai (Dahdhiyaaradhanai), th offering of Puja to the Family Deity.

Only after these are completed, Marriage ceremonies take place.

One of the important duties is the Inviting people for the Marriage.

Till about some years back, some twenty years back,two different types of Invitations are printed.

The traditional invitation is meant for close relatives,the other one with Modern type which will be distributed to others,either by the parents or by the Bride or Bridegroom.

It was the practice to post the invitations to people who are staying elsewhere.

This has to be followed by a personal letter(hand written) inviting people individually, to attend the Function.

It was also the practice to reimburse their travel expenses incurred for attending the Function.

For those who are located in the same city, the Invitation is not be posted.

It has to be delivered by hand by the Parents in person with Kumkum, Akshata, Fruits and wherever required new clothes are to be handed over to them.

This process is backed up by a Telephonic reminder a week before the marriage.

To some, this entire process might seem funny.

But there is Families which do not remain on speaking terms for years together on a single misstep in this procedure..

Now how does one decide whom to call one while sending Invitations?