The vast majority of Hindus engage in religious rituals on a daily basis and most people will have a small shrine to their chosen god or goddess in their home. These are often just a few pictures of chosen gods and a shelf to put offerings on but can be quite elaborate depending on the status and wealth of the family. Daily ‘puja’ in the home is usually, but not always, performed by the women of the family. Families also visit the local temple or shrine regularly.
Pilgrimages are sometimes the only opportunity a villager has to travel away from the village. Tirupati Temple, about 75km north of K.V.Kuppam, often attracts well over 50,000 pilgrims in one day. They are not attracted by the free meals and accommodation or by the beauty of the temple. The people come because the legend says that whatever you wish for, Lord Venkateshwara (the temple deity) will provide.
Lord Venkateshwara once took out a huge loan from another god. The Rs. 5 billion worth of donations taken each year goes to pay this back and to do a great deal of charity work. Aside from cash donations, many people sacrifice their hair to Lord Venkateshwara: men, women and children are shaved bald as part of their visit to the temple.
Amasai or Dark Moon Day (the day before a new moon) is always a special day and it is celebrated with special rituals, house cleaning and a visit to the temple.
Life cycle rituals accompany each milestone in the life of a Hindu, from before birth through to death. After the death of a close family member the family are not allowed to celebrate any festivals for three years.
Most rituals and ceremonies vary according to the caste of the family. There is a pressure to complete the correct rituals, regardless of the cost, and this can cause hardship. Some will borrow from family or moneylenders for a housewarming, marriage or funeral and then take years to pay off the debt.
Astrologers will advise on the most auspicious time for each type of ritual. For example the Tamil month of Thai is a very popular time for arranged marriages. The bride and groom’s horoscopes are matched and the most auspicious date and time (called Ragu) set. Sometimes the auspicious time for some ceremonies is in the middle of the night!
A family household shrine used for daily ‘puja’.
Some families will only have a shelf for their family shrine.
Parvati has only a mud step for daily Puja.
Some wealthy families set aside a whole room for their household shrine.
Selvi and Sorja Amma offer prayers to Lord Ganesha on the way to Tiraputi Temple in Andra Pradesh.
A small child, who has given her hair to Lord Venkateshwara at Tiraputi Temple.
A wealthy family celebrate the completion of their new house with a housewarming ceremony. The fire in the house represents God.
It is considered good luck to bring cows, which are sacred, into a new home.
Anandan’s new home is decorated for the housewarming ceremony.
Anandan prepares ‘vadai’ for his guests as part of his housewarming celebrations.
A Brahmin priest will complete the housewarming rituals at an auspicious time which is chosen by the astronomers.
Most marriages in Tamil Nadu are arranged. The bride and groom will be from the same caste and the bride’s family will pay a dowry.
Marriages usually take place in a special marriage hall. Poorer families will marry at the temple.
Not all castes ask for a dowry. This couple come from a village where dowry is not expected.
When a dowry is not expected sometimes wedding gifts are given as in a Western marriage.
Symbolism is an important part of a Hindu marriage ceremony. The growing seeds represent fertility.
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