Sumangali Pooja
Significance of Sumangali Pooja
This pooja is done to invoke to seeking the blessings of the
ancestral women of the family who enjoyed a long and prosperous
family life and left this world as sumangalies. In each family there
exists a set pattern of tradition and procedures regarding the pooja
as well as items to be cooked and served. Before performing the
Sumangali prarthanai, one should first ascertain what is his Kudumba
Sampradayam and follow the same strictly.
The total number of Sumangalies should be 3, 5, 7, 9
depending on how many sumangalies are available in the house and the balance are invited from outside. All the sumangalies invited for the pooja are given til oil, shikhakai, and thaila chhakkai, in advance
or on the early hours of the day of pooja. They are then instructed
to take an oil bath, wear 9 yards madi-pudvai and assemble around 9
a.m.
After the arrival of the sumangalies, one kuthu villakku is lit and
kept carefully. The pooja is then performed and the entire family
members offer prayers to the ancestral women of the family and seek
their blessings.
This pooja is usually done a few days before the wedding and for the
Mangalya, which is to be tied around the neck of the bride.
Sumangalis are invited for a feast and offered gifts. The sari used
for the pooja is to be gifted to one of the Sumangalis.
Sumangali Poojas conducted in the home or temple it is done
strictly by women to pray for their spouses' longevity and a blissful
marriage life. It is said Mother is the guardian of a woman's
thirumangalyam (mangalsutra). So its also a kind of thanksgiving and
a group prathanai for Mother.
Request a Priest to Perform this Pooja