Indian bath

Purity and hygiene is very important for a Hindu. From birth till to the death there are different type of bathing and bathing rituals are being done in our culture.

Human body is the centre of electric currents and impulses. Maharishi Vaatsyaayana has described various powers centres in our human body. Energy is generated and emanated in all our deeds and activities throughout the day. Our body get lethargic and need to be refreshed. Thus, we need to freshen up ourselves mentally and physically.
  

Bathing or refreshing the whole body is the  best option to rejuvenate oneself. Bathing in a flowing water and merge oneself in chest deep water as enumerated by our ancient scriptures enhances electro magnetic activity in our body.

1. Morning bath

காதார் குழையாடப் பைம்பூண் கலனாடக் 
கோதை குழலாட வண்டின் குழாம் ஆடச் 
சீதப் புனல்ஆடிச் சிற்றம் பலம்பாடி 
வேதப் பொருள்பாடி...

(First 4 versus (Pasuram 14 of Thiruvembavai by Manickavasagar)

மார்கழித் திங்கள் மதி நிறைந்த நன்னாளால்
நீராட போதுவீர்...
(First 2 versus from Pasuram 1 of Thirupavai by Andal)

Both the Pasurams from Thiruvembavai and Thirupavai  talk about the beginning of the day that start with a morning bath. It plays an integral part Indians daily routine. Bathing in flowing water is considered the best. We should wet our feet first before wetting the other parts of the body. Then enter into the water to wet the top of the head. These  is considered as the proper way to cleanse and energize our body.

Since there is a bathroom in every household nowadays, bathing styles changes according to the priority. Some use shower to bath and others use tap water collected in a bucket (using mugs to pour the water to the head and the body).

Normally, modern Indians use soap to cleanse their body. Initially, sandalwood powder, green gram powder, flowers, siakai (shikakai), coconut milk, coconut/neem or sesame oil and fire ashes are the things commonly used in Indian bathing culture to cleanse the body and hair.

2. Evening bath

Tropical and warm climate make it necessary for us to take an evening bath.  Furthermore, a hindu need to take a bath before prayers. Thus bathing is needed for the to offer their prayers. However, it is advised to take evening bath before seven o'clock. According to elders, taking a late bath will cause nerves  or lung problem.

    

3. Infant bath

A newly born is washed with a great care. Bathing the infant is make the baby clean,  healthy and to enhance its overall development. Traditional baby care customs is followed by Indian till today for the first 40 days. Usually, a midwife is appointed to carry out the custom. Green Gram powder and fresh turmeric paste will be used to bath a newborn in a lukewarm water. The baby will be laid on the thigh and front leg of the midwife and the body and leg is washed with a gentle massage. Finally the face and the hair will be washed gently without suffocating the baby. Styrax resin (sambrani) mixed with turmeric smoke is used to dried out the hair and body. Finally, vasambu is scrubbed and applied on baby's palm and feet.

4. New mother bath

A mother in confinement  is need to be taken care from infection and exhaustion of childbirth. She will be given a full body massage usually oil massage. Once she is ready to take a bath, a house elder or midwife will be bathing the new mother. Herbal bath is given using herbs and spices- such as nunaa leaves, notchi leaves, lemon grass, neem leaves (boiled and mixed with water), turmeric and so on. Then, she will be toweled to dry and proceeded with sambrani to perfume the body and hair.

5. Puberty bath

When a Hindu girl is gets her first period, Ruthu Sadanggu will be done. It is meant to educate the girl about the culture, customs, maturity, hygiene and health so that she gets herself prepared to face the new world as a woman. One of the rituals done is bathing the girl with specially prepared water. The water is added with turmeric powder (anti bacterial), seven type of flowers (fragrance) and lime (anti-oxidant and ward of evil energy)). Her close relatives (usually aunts) will help the girl to get her first bath after attaining puberty and the ritual is on for two weeks. Sandalwood powder and green gram powder are used to scrub the body.  A sesame oil massage will be given and shikakai and turmeric is used to rinse of the excess oil.

6. Marriage bath

A hindu bride is given an elaborate wedding ritual bath prior the wedding day. The nalanggu ceremony done three or five days consecutively before the wedding is actually connected to the wedding ritual ceremony. Her hair will be oiled (aromatic oil). Paste of milk, turmeric, sandalwood, green gram powder is applied on her face, body, hand and leg. Rose water will be sprinkled and she will be adorned with flowers by married ladies. Finally, she will be taken  to a flower and herbal bath before get dressed up. these process will be done until the wedding day to make the bride glow radiantly on a wedding day.

7. Ritual bath

A hindu man or woman's life is very much connected to water usually flowing waters or rivers. A hindu believes that water has spiritually cleaning power. It is considered by Hindus to be a purifier, life-giver, and destroyer of evil. It represents the "non-manifested substratum from which all manifestations derive". Thus, he takes a dip in water before offering prayers. Every big temples or ancient temples will be having a sizable water tank or pond for the bakthas to cleanse themselves. 

8. healing bath

Ayurveda, siddha and unani treatment is very much related to nature and its resources.  An oil massage is given prior to a steam bath in Kerala Ayurvedic treatment. it is to improve skin note and stimulates blood circulation. At times, herbal, spices, flowers and essences bath are recommended  to rejuvenate mental, physical and spiritual self.

9. Funeral bath 

It is a must for the body to be washed before the burial or cremation. A decent bath is given to the body using sandalwood paste, milk and rose water. Close family members will be doing it or a funeral director can be hired in conducting it accordingly. Then body will be anointed with sandalwood paste, decked with flowers and covered with new unbleached clothes. A person who has attended a funeral rite is required to take a bath. It is customary belief as warding off any evil or negative energy. 

10. Sacred Bath

The mark of penance for a Hindu pilgrim starts with a bath. He/she will take a holy dip in a flowing water either rivers or ocean before offering their prayer. Maha Kubh Mela is a biggest religious gathering that involves bathing as on of the important ceremony followed by prayers, religious and vedantic discourses, chanting, meeting the sadhus and so on.