GASD71

Ritualistic Use of Food in a Hindu Household

 

As practicing Hindu’s both Rajeswary and Kamala have grown up in a household which involves daily prayer and offerings to and from their Gods. When hindus attend Puja at a Temple they receive Prasad, which is believed to be divine blessing (typically fruits). Although Kamala and Rajeswary have migrated to a new country their beliefs are still as strong today as they have been in the past. They continue to go to the Temple and fast on auspicious days. During fasting Kamala does not have breakfast. She prays throughout the morning and has Payasam (similar to rice pudding) around 1 pm. Payasam is also served for dessert at weddings and other celebrations indicating strong cultural ties. Although Kamala is older now she continues to cook Payasam, making food an essential aspect of her religious ties and upbringing. Temples also serve sambar and rice (sambar sadam) to puja attendees. I believe that this is in order to show that one who's life is in tune with God will never have an empty stomach.

 

As well as being served food, Temple attendees contribute to their community temple by bringing things such as rice, vegetables, and milk.  Milk is used in cooking the sambar sadam served to attendees and is also used on several Hindu Gods. Pouring milk onto the symbolic statue while praying and asking for blessings is seen as a holy ritual and this use of milk continues in Temples today.

 

During Tamil weddings grains of rice coloured yellow as well as flowers are thrown onto the bride and groom as they tie the auspicious holy yellow necklace binding a marriage. Rice has strong cultural ties to Hindus and is seen as a staple food in Tamil culture. It is viewed as important for life sustainment and is linked to prosperity and fertility. It is also the first solid food that is given to a Hindu child at 6-7 months in a ceromony called Annaprashana. (1)

 

Rajeswary also recalls celebrating Thai Pongal. Thai means January in Tamil and Pongal is a food that is made only on auspicious days by cooking rice, milk, and sugar until it overflows out of the clay pot. It is offerred to the sun God and is a change-of-season festival thanking the sun for a successful harvest. (1) Rajeswary has grown up with the tradition of celebrating Thai Pongal and continues to make Pongal on January 13-16 every year.

 

 

(1) http://classroom.synonym.com/significance-rice-hindu-ceremonies-6681.html [Accessed March 3, 2015]