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Rituals
Devout persons of all castes perform a daily
prayer at home, in their private chapel or prayer room. The ceremonies
and rituals of puja's are observed to the minutest detail.
Breaking of Coconut
Worship of Ganesa or Vinayaka is common in Tamil
Nadu when the people like to take a vow to prevent a catastrophe or
to offer thanks for fulfilling a request. Prayers to this deity take the
form of smashing the coconut to smithereens . This is symbolic
annihilation of the three undesirable forces working in man, preventing
his spiritual emancipation. For any occasion which marks a beginning, this
ritual is performed. Sweetened rice-balls known as Modhakam
or Kozhukkattai are prepared and distributed to children in front of this
deity.
Dragging a Ratha
The dragging with ropes of a miniature ratha of
Ther i..e,
ear tied to hooks planted on the back of the devotee is a symbol
of physical pain. People are prepared to invite on themselves
. For miles and miles the devotee walks, dragging the cart in the hot sun
for hours, on mindful of the anguish, uttering all the way the name of the
deity. Even his tongue is pulled out and a silver pin is inserted to hold the tongue in the desired position. The pin is a miniature vel or lance, the weapon of Muruga.
All along the path, onlookers pour cold water, rose
water and sandal -paste on the devotees to alleviate the
effects of the burning sun. This ritual testifies to the pronounced
religious fevour of devout Hindus. vis-a vis the silent
rituals observed by many in their private homes. After
a long and tiring trip as a finish to the ritual, fire walking
awaits them. Backed in the hot sun, with torturing pins
oppressing the tongue, the flesh on the back is literally being pulled
out, the limbs carving for rest, the devotees walk over the fire,
treating the scorching embers, as soft cotton pieces spread
to soothe their feet . After this, the pot of milk, sandal
paste or holy ashes kept in the car are taken out and poured over
the deity. The devotee stand in front of the idol in a super eminent
frame, beyond the realm of bodily pain, perhaps in the higher
reaches of mind, which perceives divinity at the fountain source.
While playing the equine role, the devotees wear
nailed wooden sandals. In spite of all the torture, they do not
feel any pain. Persons who wish to take this role undergo very severe
ordeals like observing fast for whole month.
Palikudam
The Palkudam is a ceremonial carrying of milk pot
for performing special abhisheka to the gods. with fresh
milk in a pitcher kept on the head, the devotee walks great
distances forgetting the pot on the head and never seen attempting
to hold it in her hands . Some time the devotee runs with frenzy and
on no occasion does the pot of milk to be poured over the
deity fall on the march.
Santhanakudam
Santhanakudam or carrying sandal paste pot is
another ritual celebrated in the same manner as Palkudam. All these
rituals are observed either individually or in groups. The
encourage is composed of relatives, friends, priests and persons
playing musical instruments.
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