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.

Fruit of prosperity

The coconut tree is called Kalpavriksa (the tree that grant all blessings). It refreshing water, tasty kernels, oil extracted and every parts in use for some purpose make the plant omnipresent in every Hindu rituals and sacraments.

Poornakumbham is must in Hindu rituals and ceremonies where coconut is must object. Poorna-kumbham is a metal pot filled with sacred water and has in it mouth a cluster of mango leaves and a coconut. it is used in upachara for the God and the most honoured guest (usually ascetics).

The coconut has many medicinal qualities. It is called as Arogya Vardak or health enhancer. The tender coconut (ilaneer) is the best thirst quencher, besides being a natural iso-tonic drinks. It cures many ailments (such as  and washes out all the toxin in our body.

Coconut is also being used in Ayurveda. It helps to maintain Vata, Pitta and Kapha (3 doshas ), the humors that helps functioning of  the human organism.  When this doshas are disturbed, it causes disease and deterioration of the body.

Some yogis in India live on a coconut a day fore their whole life. It is considered a near perfect natural food with all the vitamin, mineral  and fiber.

Indian food, commonly uses grated coconut kernel to flavour the curries and vegetables delights. It also used to make the appetizing chutneys. Coconut kernel is a rich source of vitamin E, B, C, calcium, iron, phosphorus and minerals. The coconut milk is (extracted from grated kernels) added in Indian food and cakes to give a luscious taste. It is good to cure ulcer, colitis, constipation,  indigestion, fatigue, urinary problems and anemia.

Coconut chips are mixed in other dried nuts and fruits to offer as Prasad (holy food).

Coconut oil is used as cooking oil till we were introduced to palm and soy oil. the oil added with fragrant flowers and herbs is used for hair treatment and massaging. Coconut oil is the basic ingredient in Ayurvedic and herbal soaps.

Coconut is offered in all our prayers and ceremonies starting from wedding, educational or business achievement, naming new baby, land breaking, house warming,  thanksgiving and so on. it is the symbol of auspiciousness, progeny, prosperity, honour and health. 

Coconut can attract both benevolent and malevolent frequencies. Sometimes a coconut is used to cast off an evil eye.  In a distressing energy problem, a coconut is  moved clockwise from feet to head  of the person (in siting position). Then, the coconut should be broken. It is considered as the negative energy is destroyed.

Coconut breaking also as a visualise symbol of the stead and difficult hurdles in on your ways are broken. Lord Ganesha is the hurdles remover in our doing and efforts, thus breaking a coconut for Him is completing our prayers.

Sanathana Dharma

Food Culture

Rules of Manu

1. Food must be cooked after the prayers
2. Food must be cooked at daily basis
3. Food should be offered to the sages, the manes, the gods, the Bhutas and guests;
    hence he who knows (the law), must give to them (what is due to each) :-

i.   sages - private recitation of Veda
ii.  the gods - burnt oblations
iii.  the manes - funeral offerings
iv. men -  food (Sraddha)
v.  Bhutas - Bali offerings

4. Let him offer, in accordance with the rule, to the guest who has come a saet and water,
    as well as food (garnished with seasoning), acccording with his ability.
5. Things to offer without fail to a guest are ;-
i. seat
ii. room (for resting)
iii. water
iv. kind words
6. He must not eat any (dainty) food which he does not offer to his guest.

Who is Atithi (the guest)?
1. a good person
2. the one come with his own accord (not invited)
3. a good person who stays one night only
4. the one come after the sun setting (evening)
5. not a relative (anithyam)
6. not from the same village
7. not the one who seek the livelyhood by social intercourse

Food serving order
1. to newly married women
2. to infants
3. to the sick
4. to pregnant women
5. to guests
6. the kinsmen
7. servants
8. the householder

Our food

Indian culture regards food as the main source of all life - a vital need, a fundamental right, an embodiment of culture and nature, called ‘prana’. A whole hyme in  praise of food in Rig Veda.  It is called Prajapathi or Lord of all creatures. 

Taitreya Upanishad has stated: "From food all creatures are produced. Being are born from food, live by food, on being deceased, they enter into food". All the species are connected in the web of life, and its food that spin the web. In Prasna Upanishad, it is stated that God created food and humans vigour, rituals and activities depend on food. Chandokya Upanishad says that man uses all his indriyas through food. Thus purity of the food is very importanta for self development of every individuals.

Indians’ staple diets are high in carbohydrates and fiber. Their consumption is more on coarse grains such as rice, sorghum, barley, rye, maize and millet. The rice and vegetarian curry meal is traditionally eaten at midday, although it may also be served in the evening. Curd, a yogurt made from the fermented milk is often served during the meal.

 The traditional morning and evening meals are usually composed of a traditional staple, such as  uppma, iddiappam (fresh rice noodles), paniaram (cup-shaped pancakes), roti (flat bread), idli or thosai (sourdough pancakes), served with a chutneys (a mixture of hot peppers and other vegetables, served cool) and one or two vegetable curries.