Tag Naivedyam

Why Vadai Jangiri Malai (Garland) For Hanuman

I have been baffled by the adornment of Vadai Malai,Garland made of Vadai, a Snack of South India and of Garland made of Jangiri , Sweet, in North India

Both these have Black Gram as the main Ingredient......
This was asked of Kanchi Periyavar.

The following is the explanation offered by him.

As a Child, Hanuman was very mischievous and on one instance he, on seeing the Sun at Dawn rushed forward to gobble up.

At the same time, the shadow Planet, Rahu was also chasing Hanuman to catch him..

Hanuman conquered Rahu and ordered Rahu not to trouble his(Hanuman's Devotees).

Upachaaras Five Ten Sixty Four Offering To God

But the import of the word is 'welcoming, making one comfortable, saying things that ere agreeable, offering that are close to one's heart'

In Hindu tradition God is offered all these as we would one who visits our home.

There are strict rules for this.

There are different Upacharas.

Five-Panchopachara,

Six-Shadopachaara,

Shodosupachaara-Sixty four.

Some opt for the Ten Upachaaaras.

Of these the sixty-four are practiced in temples, while Five or six are at Homes.

In some texts, Snana or Bathing is taken as a Upachaara, while in some the other Upachaaras are done after the Bath(Snana)

It may be noted that these procedures are not prescribed by the Vedas.

These are later developments set by Smritis and for Temples in the Agama Shastra.

A. Pancha Upachaara.