Puriti Snanam : An Important Ceremony Of Sacred Bath For The Women
Puriti Snanam : To commemorate this auspicious occasion, a fruit tambula is tenderly placed in the girl’s hand, and a small stool adorned with turmeric paste is positioned on all four sides. The girl gracefully takes her seat on the stool, while a scarf or lungi is elegantly draped over her left shoulder, gently passing beneath her right hand—a traditional practice known as Kolu Vastra.
The Puriti snana ritual unfolds with care and devotion. Sesame oil is mixed with fragrant herbs, anointed onto the girl’s body, and gently poured over her head.
Any tears are lovingly wiped away with turmeric powder, and a mixture of turmeric and neem is prepared, with each ingredient added one after another into boiling water. In the case of normal delivery, water is delicately sprinkled upon the mother’s abdomen using a small spoon.
Puriti Snanam & Kolu Vastra
Following the sacred bath, the girl adorns the Kolu Vastra—a white saree lovingly tied around her. A special dish called Pulagam is prepared by combining Gidda rice and Pesa dal. A wide plate is placed, adorned with rice, three small onions, black pepper, jaggery, and tambula. This plate is then offered to the divine, placed in the barn as a symbol of gratitude.
After bathing the baby, the cloth is gently squeezed to extract buttermilk, to which neem leaves are added. With a continuous flow, one pays homage to Lord Surya, saying, “Accept these drops of buttermilk and bless us with abundant milk, O Lord!” It is a beautiful ritual observed each year, with the rice kept in this area given to the washer.
After bathing the newborn, they are tenderly wrapped in a soft white saree and placed on a cozy bed. Following the recitation of the Punyaha verse, baths are taken consecutively on the 13th, 15th, 17th, and 19th days, without the need for a shower. On the 21st day, a celebratory bath is taken, and Pongali—a delectable dish—is prepared.
The divine is worshipped with a glowing lamp, and Pongali Puja is conducted as an offering of gratitude. This marks the completion of the Purudu ceremonies. Once a month, the baby is lovingly taken to the temple to seek divine blessings. The mother refrains from looking at the baby until she herself has bathed and offered her prayers to the sun. On the 3rd, 5th, or 9th day after delivery, a cotton saree is presented to the daughter-in-law by her father-in-law. On that day, the saree is adorned, and it can later be used as a side sari for the baby or kept as a cherished memento. In cases where there is no father-in-law, the husband lovingly presents the saree.
The sixth day holds great significance. Lord Brahma himself proclaims that while he can grant sixty years of life, it is beyond his power to bestow blessings on the sixth day. Therefore, the rituals should commence on the fifth day, ideally around 5 or 6 pm, and continue until the morning of the sixth day. During this time, it is important not to leave the baby unattended.
Certain auspicious Nakshatras such as Hasta, Mriga, Anuradha, Rohini, Revathi, Ashwani, Uttara, Uttarashadha, Uttara Bhadra, and Swati, along with the presence of Adi, Mangala, and Jupiter, are considered favorable for bathing ceremonies, which are conducted on the 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, and 19th days.
These customs and rituals are performed with deep reverence and belief, cherishing the well-being and blessings bestowed upon the newborn and the entire family.
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