This is the picture in front of which mom does the pooja.Dad says this picture has been in the family for as long as he can remember. Obviously my grandmom too placed this picture in the pooja room.
Sharing some pics of the Pooja
The pooja room ready..
The turmeric Gowri is seated on a betel leaf in the center...
Mom performing the pooja....
Sodalu Aarathi and Mangalarathi....
The kids offering their prayers...
Moradha Bayana for me from mom :)
'Mora' is a flat plate made of bamboo.It is placed as a pair.Turmeric is smeared on it and vermilion lines are drawn on it.On one 'Mora' a dress material-Saree and blouse, bangles, mirror, comb , kajal, kumkum[vermilion], turmeric ,small packs of rice,rice flour,jaggery,moong dhal,toor dhal,silver toe-ring,gold nose pin,a 'mangalya'[A sacred pendent that is worn by married women],money are kept.Any other thing which is considered sacred is can also be kept along with these things.This is closed with the other 'mora'.I forgot to place the other stuffs mentioned here when I clicked the pic...
The person who receives this 'mora'
should be married and is usually given to the daughter.It can also be
given to any other married women.The girl/women is seated on a wooden
plank and her legs are smeared with turmeric paste and vermilion lines
outlining her feet are drawn .She is given a set of betel leaves,betel
nuts,fruits and coconut along with kumkum[vermilion].
Lil Angel wanted it and mom drew it for her too :)
Lil Angel wanted it and mom drew it for her too :)
The giver covers one half of the 'mora' with her Saree pallu and the receiver covers the other half with her Saree pallu.
We are now getting ready for the scrumptious lunch that mom has prepared....And wishing everyone 'A very Happy Ganesh Chathurthi'....
The giver considers the girl/women who receives the moradha-bayana as Parvathi.This ritual of moradha-bayana
is considered to fortify the life of both the giver and receiver and
they are blessed with all that is best and beautiful in life.
My grandma used to tell us stories of this ritual being performed in palaces by the queens who used to give 'mora'
made of brass and used to give away jewels along with the customary
items.The number of women who received it were innumerable.
We are now getting ready for the scrumptious lunch that mom has prepared....And wishing everyone 'A very Happy Ganesh Chathurthi'....