A Pillaiyar idol for home and the Pillayar Pooja at Home

The Pillaiyar pooja will be done on all auspicious days like on fridays,Amavasai ,Krithigai and all festive days.Usually a house will maintain 2 Kal (Stone )pillayars.Some have a silver one along with a stone one. When we buy a new pillayar in stone , we need to keep them immersed in water or rice for 45 days .Then we can start doing the regular pillayr poojai at home.We should not have a Pillayar idol or that matter any idol more than 12 inches or more than your palm size at home.Start your first poojai on a auspicious day like Friday or Monday.

Between Engagement and Wedding - Procedures for worshiping various Gods in Mudaliar Community

Between nichaiyadartham and wedding there is a month long procedure of worshipping various gods. I have tried to list them in order
1. Vinayakar poojai- Done on an auspicious friday
2. Kula deiva valzipadu- the whole family goes to the kuladaivam temple and make pongal .Our Kula deivam temple is Kadumbadi amman ,near Mahabalipuram and Illayanar Vellore near Kanchipuram.
3. Thaligai- done on an saturday for Perumal
4.Ragi khoozh - done on a sunday for mariamman. On the sunday evening a chicken is sacrificed and a special poojai is done. Its called "kumbam podurathu"
5. Munishswarar-(not for all families) done on a sunday or monday
6 kateri- (not for all families) done on any day but only in the nights and only family members can participate. The goddess is worshipped with a black sari. A small house with 11 rooms is made with sand. 11 types of non-veg is prepared and offered
7. Poovadaikari (sumangali poojai)- very important and a must for all mudaliars. All the sumangalis who are no more are remembered and worshipped
8.kani poojai- (not for all) all the unmarried deceased women are remembred and worshipped
apart from this vadagam and oorukai are prepared and offered to god on a holy day. there several such traditions which are very unique to mudaliars but sadly all these stuffs are vanishing like due drop due to cultural decline....

Reason for applying Kumkumam on Forehead

 

The forehead, between the two eyebrows, is a spot that is considered as a major nerve point in human body since ancient times. The Tilak is believed to prevent the loss of “energy”, the red ‘kumkum’ between the eyebrows is said to retain energy in the human body and control the various levels of concentration. While applying kumkum the points on the mid-brow region and Adnya-chakra are automatically pressed. This also facilitates the blood supply to the face muscles.

Throwing coins in the River

The general reasoning given for this act is that it brings Good Luck. However, scientifically speaking, in the ancient times, most of the currency used was made of copper unlike the stainless steel coins of today. Copper is a vital metal very useful to the human body. Throwing coins in the river was one way our fore-fathers ensured we intake sufficient copper as part of the water as rivers were the only source of drinking water. Making it a custom ensured that all of us follow the practice.

Metti or the Toe Ring

Wearing toe rings is not just the significance of married women but there is science behind it. Normally toe rings are worn on the second toe. A particular nerve from the second toe connects the uterus and passes to heart. Wearing toe ring on this finger strengthens the uterus. It will keep it healthy by regulating the blood flow to it and menstrual cycle will be regularized. As Silver is a good conductor, it also absorbs polar energies from the earth and passes it to the body.

Namsakaram - Why should we do this Gesture?

In Hindu culture, people greet each other by joining their palms – termed as “Namaskar.” The general reason behind this tradition is that greeting by joining both the palms means respect. However, scientifically speaking, joining both hands ensures joining the tips of all the fingers together; which are denoted to the pressure points of eyes, ears, and mind. Pressing them together is said to activate the pressure points which helps us remember that person for a long time. And, no germs since we don’t make any physical contact!

The Divine Cow

Cows are known as the most pure animals in our religion. 

All the gods are believed to reside in the body of Kamadhenu — the divine cow. Her four legs are the scriptural Vedas; her horns are the triune gods Brahma (tip), Vishnu (middle) and Shiva (base); her eyes are the sun and moon gods, her shoulders the fire-god Agni and the wind-god Vayu and her legs the Himalayas. Kamadhenu is often depicted in this form in poster art.