Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India.djvu/490

BRAHMAN The following ceremonies are often performed after the cessation of the catamenial discharge, to atone for the sin contracted by their occurrence: —


 * Annamumuttani Adivaram. — The eating of yams and other roots every Sunday for three years, or, under certain conditions, a longer period.


 * Rushipanchami. — On the fifth day of Bhadrapada month to eat five balusu (Canthium parviflorum) leaves, and to drink a handful of ghee.


 * Gomayani. — To eat three balls of cow-dung every morning for a year.


 * Lakshvattulu. — To burn one lac (100,000) of wick lights.


 * Lakshmivarapu Ekādasi. — From the time when the eleventh day after new moon falls on a Thursday, to observe a fast, and to worship the tulasi plant for eleven days.


 * Margasira Lakshmivaram. — The mistress of a family will often devote herself to the worship of Lakshmi on every Thursday of the month of Margasira, in order to propitiate the goddess of wealth.


 * Somisomavaram. — A special worship performed on every new moon that falls on Monday, with the giving away of 36o articles, two or three on each occasion. This is performed with the view of attaining atonement for sins, and happiness in a future state.

There are many ceremonies performed by women to whom nature has denied the much-coveted joys of maternity. Among these may be noted: —


 * Asvadhapradakshinam. — In villages is often to be seen a margosa (Melia Azadirachta) tree, round which a pīpul tree (Ficus religiosa) has twined itself. The ceremony consists in a woman walking round and round this tree several times daily for a long period."