The Padi Kolam Tradition

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Varalakshmi Nombu

Festival Preparation: Prep starts one day earlier for Varalakshmi vratham which is one of the most elaborate pujas on our calendar. The following things need to be prepared one day earlier: 1. Kalasam and Puja saaman prep : Get ready all the puja things you will need: kalasam for amman, amman mukham, all the pujai kinnangal (usually 3-4, but nowadays we use the kumamam and sandanam dabbas instead of kinnangal thus reducing their numbers), panchapatram and uthirini, a couple of trays and baskets. Gather them and wash them. Dry them with a towel and keep them aside.  2. Neivedyam prep : Because you will be preparing for the neivedyam, remember to take a head bath one day before Varalakshmi pujai. And start the prep only after the head bath and wearing a set of washed clothes, and complete them before you have lunch.  i. Soak raw rice and ulundu for idli batter for a few hours and then grind them as usual. Note that we use raw rice and not boiled rice/idli rice for neivedhyam coo...
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Varalakshmi Nombu Part 2 - the day of the pujai

 Needless to say, wake up early, please. There's so much to do. Check on the kolam and line it with semmannu if you have not already done so. Take a head bath (no need to apply oil) and wear washed clothes. Puja Prep: wash the vettalai, fruits and coconut for neivedyam. Neivedyam: Make neivedyam prep as per the menu of the day. Soak rice for half an hour and then grind it as for dosa batter (if this is the kozhakottai method you follow). Add a spoon of oil in kadai, add water, a pinch of salt and stir in the batter and cook till it forms a lumpy mass and keep it closed to cool.  Soak ulundu for vadai. Grind it in an hour with whatever you usually add. Make saadam, paruppu, payasam, vadai ( at least 3-4), kozhakotai (a few), sundal, idli, kosumbari before going on to other food items.  Puja Prep continuation:   Do this before amman azhaippu which should be around 8.30. So wind up the kitchen work by 7.45 and move on to the puja space.  Start by replacing flowers...
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Memories of Madi

 Personal practices Madi In earlier times, the mistress of the house, or the lady that handles the pujai and/or the kitchen would observe 'madi' or a purification process. While this was very strictly observed on pujai and other religious occasions, they were even incorporated in the daily rituals of women in orthodox homes.  Madi meant remaining pure and untouched by others. It invariably started with the ritual bath, often very early in the morning. It also meant wearing 'madi clothes' or wearing clothes that were washed and dried separately, untouched by the hands of other members of the family. These would be washed by the women who would wear them, and they would be washed by her only after she has taken a bath. The madi clothes for special occasions would be washed and put out to dry by women preferably after a a head bath, and most certainly before the first big meal of the day.  The madi clothes ritual would be incomplete without mention of the madi kodi and the...
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