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Sacraments among Hindus
The Samskaras (sacraments) begin to be observed right from the day of
conception signaled by Garbhadana or conception of foetus in the womb
of the woman. Usually the birth of the first child has to take place in
the woman's mothers home called kular in konkani. Before the woman is
sent to her mothers home, a ceremony known as fulam malop (adorn the coiffure
with flowers) is held in the 5th, 7th and 9th months of pregnancy. The
first two flower-bedecking are held at the husband's house. In the 5th
month, her lap is filled with green clothes.
On the sixth day from the birth of the child there is
a ceremony called Sotti or Shastipujan. On that night there is the honouring
of the female deity called Sottvai and the whole night resounds to the
beat of the 'ghumott', which is a special local percussion instrument
made from a mud-pot.
A ten day's period of seclusion is observed when the
woman just delivered, is prevented from touching things that matter. On
the 11th day, the delivered woman is bathed and offered panchagavya consisting
of cow's urine, tulsi
leaves, cow-dung etc. 'Homa' is held and water from the tulsi plant is
brought into the house and sprinkled on house-hold things for the purpose
of purification and the delivered woman given an offering of coconut,
sweet preparation in liquid-paste form called godshem, puris, rice, moong
etc. The umbilical cord is buried in some place in the backyard.
On the twelfth day the child's Barso i.e. the naming
ceremony is performed. Married women (with husbands living) meet and fill
up the lap of the delivered woman with flowers and gifts. The child is
placed in the cradle and bestowed a name. Normally, three names including
a surname are given. The first being the proper name of the boy or girl,
the second being the father's name and the third being the surname.
When the child cuts its first tooth, there is a function
to celebrate the occasion with food etc. This is known as datolem ghalop
(cutting of tooth). Little puris, biscuits and items of snacks are strewn
over the head of the child and distributed to the children gathered all
around. This practice is on the decline these days. Wherever it is prevalent
the Vodde (puri-type) have been replaced by chocolate, toffee, peppermint
etc.
Munj or Upanayana is done among the Saraswats, Daivednya
(goldsmiths), Vanis, Kshatriya etc. It is not done among the Sudra communities.
Formerly the Upanayana used to be performed between the ages of 8 and
10. Marriages do not take place before the performance of the Munj ceremony.
Munj has sometimes to be performed on the eve of the marriage. Upanayana
was meant to usher in the period of education of a student.
The last Samskara among the Hindus is the funeral rite
or Antyesti at the death of a person. After the death of a person, a period
of 12 days mourning observance is adhered to. On the 10th day after death,
a homa is prepared at home and panchagavya done for purification. On the
12th day, there is the
Baravo on which day there is the performance of the Shraddha Vidhan
ceremony of the passing away of the person concerned and offerings are
given to the public and food to the priests. There used to be a practice
to have the Shraddha as bharni-shraddha, monthly Shraddha and yearly Shraddha.
Now only the annual Shraddha is observed.
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