Seemantham

Seemantham is a pregnant women’s ceremony performed during the seventh month of pregnancy.

It marks a woman’s passage into motherhood and is celebrated to take blessings from elders for safe delivery. The word Seemantham literally means the hair parting just above the eye brow. It is said that the Goddess of Wealth, Sri Mahalakshmi resides in that parting. When a woman delivers a child, she is considered the embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi Herself.

Event 1 - Valaikaapu - Vala means bangles and kaapu means security

This event is performed before sunrise. Mother-to-be takes an oil bath and drapes a "Black Sari", this is the only occasion where a black sari is worn to ward off evil spirits that the mother-to-be is vulnerable to.

This is usually a lady’s event where close friends and family take turns to slide glass bangles of different colors onto the mother-to-be's wrist.

By the seventh month, the baby can hear sounds hence the clanking of glass bangles is said to have positive effects on the baby. As for the mother-to-be, since wrist is an active part of human where pulse and heart-beats are checked, the array of bangles help in good blood circulation and keep the womb active.

And of course - Bangles just look sooo pretty 😌😌

Women in attendance are also given bangles and another married woman who is next up in line for baby is made to sit and adorned with bangles by the elder women.

Event 2 - Homam - Prayers offered to sacred fire

Homam is performed by the parents-to-be along with a priest.

To format the developing brain of the baby in an optimal condition, Vedic tradition calls for the recitals of relics and verses known as Udhagasanthi Japam in a soft but powerful mantra recital that lasts for about an hour and a half in the presence of sacred fire.

This Japam in addition to giving confidence to the mother-to-be also increases her mental strength with the supportive gathering of friends and family.

Event 3 - Punar Puja - Prayers offered to holy water

Punar Puja is performed using a kalasa (pot) in which fresh water is poured in, a bunch of mango leaves are kept with a coconut covering it and a bunch of Holy Grass known as Dharbam is inserted. It is believed, that the aquatic vibration that is caused during the Vedic Recital and chanting, helps the holy grass in absorbing the vibration and transmits it to the water in the vessel. The water in the vessel gets a highest value, a combination of phonetic + aquatic vibration. On completion of this japam (recitals), the mother-to-be is bathed in cold holy water from this kalasa.

Event 4 - Mooku pizhiyal - Protection for the child

After the Homam a banyan flower bud is kept in the cloth and crushed till the cloth is soaked with the juice. The Mantra "Pugumsavanamasi" is chanted, and simultaneously the cloth with the juice is gently squeezed into the right nostril of the mother-to-be. This juice is said to travel to the womb and add a layer of protection for the child. This is done at a stipulated/auspicious time (muhurtham).

Event 5 - Saapadu - Food 😁

The mother-to-be is to mix lentils and rice and give it to 5 kids before starting her lunch.  The religious functions comes to a close with this ritual and guests are invited to have lunch.

Event 6 - Poochudal - Adorning the mother with flowers

An informal ladies function called "Poochoodal" follows lunch where ladies gather around the mother-to-be, sing songs and adorn her with flowers.