EDITOR’S LOG

A few editions back, Yuvan received a reader feedback asking that we write about our Hindu rites of passage. The Yuvan team thought that it was an excellent feedback, and one that should be acted upon.

In these days of globalization, many youngsters tend to lose touch of our Hindu culture. Ceremonies – the foundation of all cultures – seem to be lacking for some reason in the Hindu community. At the most, the only ceremonies properly observed are the birth and death ceremonies.

Other smaller ceremonies, with nevertheless important significance, seem to slip by the younger generation. When these youngsters become young parents, they do not perform these rites of passage for their offspring. They fail to teach their children the meanings of these ceremonies, and over time, these ceremonies and their significances are lost.

The rites of passage ceremonies in the Hindu culture are unique - and like every other culture - they mark the milestones in the life cycle of man. Apart from birth and death, there is a ceremony to mark the first food, the first tooth, the first word – the first of everything important in a man’s life.

The tenth edition of the Yuvan exclusively brings you the Hindu ceremonies along with their significances and when they should be performed.

Its aim is to educate, and perhaps act as a simple plea from the Yuvan team to the younger generation to ensure that these ceremonies are kept alive in their lives - so that these ceremonies do not diminish in the name of modernization.

Yuvan hopes that it will enlighten the youth on the richness of the Hindu culture- a heritage that our forefathers gave us – a culture like none other.

The responsibility is yours…….

EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE: MCSA Bowling Competition

With camping trips, career fairs, and various charitable efforts under their belt, the Youth Wing of the Malaysian Ceylonese Saivites Association (MCSA) can now add 'bowlers' to their list of activities.

On the 16th of November 2008, 27 members from MCSA youths gathered at U-Bowl, One Utama, to partake in one of their biggest events yet - an inter-MCSA bowling competition. With seven teams of four people the youths, ranging from ages 13 to 40, were all ready to put their best foot forward.

The competition consisted of three games per team, all of which were funded by the RM25 entry fee. At 10am, the youths gathered and were divided into their respective groups of four. Due to a last minute dropping-out, one of the seven teams had only three members. However, they stayed true to the MCSA spirit and did not let this upset them in any way. After everyone got laced up in their colourful bowling shoes, the competition got under way.

As the games progressed, it was hard to tell the outcome, as the scores were like a roller coaster - going up, down, and up again. The competition was slowly coming to an end, and there was still no clear winner. The last ball rolled down the lane and the participants eagerly awaited the results.

It was finally time as the Secretary of the MCSA, Mr. Ganesan Gunaratnam stepped forward to hand out the prizes. In a surprise victory, the earlier said team of three claimed victory despite their missing one member. The team, which comprised of Venu Ramadas, Prakash Sothivadivale, and Skandha Ganesan, were more than glad to accept their medals. It was a touching sight as Skandha, the son of Mr. Ganesan, was awarded the medal by his father. Also all smiles was the daughter of Venu Ramadas, who accepted the medal on behalf of her beaming father.

Coming in second was the team Kuberan Myilvahanam, Ahalyah Ragunathan,Puveendra Thuraisingam, and the President of the MSCA Youth Wing, Sujithaen Ilangkainathun.

Cementing the generosity of the MCSA, individual achievements were also recognised as four of the twenty-eight were given trophies for 'Best Bowlers'. In the male category, Kuberan Myilvahanam bagged the first prize, and Prakash Sothivadivale coming in a close second. In the female category, Dhynna Ramakrishnan was given top honours, with Kavitha Aruljothi claiming the second place.

With their trophies, medals, and the overall feeling of a good day, the participants enjoyed a good lunch, courtesy of Little Caterers Sdn. Bhd.The success of this event can only mean one thing - more events of all sorts to come. And if the MCSA Youth Wing's track record is anything to go by, we can expect greater things to be achieved in the future, be it charitable, social or simple, fun-motivated efforts.

MAGNIFY & AMPLIFY by Siva Priya

RICE FEEDING CEREMONY

Rice feeding or Annaprashana literally means putting solid food or rice into a child's mouth for the first time. Anna means rice and prashana means eating.

The ceremony is conducted after the sixth month and should be done before the first year of the infant’s life. This milestone ritualizes the start of a nursing child's additional solid, developed out of the physical need of the child for more nourishment. It also established a point in the child's development at which the mother should consider beginning to wean him.

This ceremony is a simple ceremony that is celebrated amongst close relatives. The ceremony should be conducted in a temple. After the normal pooja and a simple offering of a tray of fruits and flowers, the child is sat on the lap of the father. The father then feeds the child his first sweet rice or sakkarai satham. This feeding is then followed by the mother of the child and then by the other elders who are present.

Many believe that different types of food with a variety of flavours should be fed to the child as different qualities of the food will be imparted to the child. However, sweet rice is recommended by the Puranas as it is considered to be the perfect food as it is easy to digest. The sweetness in the sakkarai satham symbolizes a sweet beginning to the child’s culinary adventures.

TOOTH PEEK....

The teething ceremony, popularly known as the pallu kozhukattai ceremony, should be done when the child’s first tooth begins to appear. Pallu means teeth and kozhukattai – for those who seriously don’t know – is a delicious South Indian cake that is made out of rice flour with sweet coconut and brown sugar filling.

The significance of this ceremony is to mark the child’s first tooth appearance, and also to pray for the child to be bestowed with teeth as beautiful and straight as the edge of the kozhukattai – hence the name pallu kozhukattai.

The ceremony may be conducted at home, and if need, a homam can be done first to invoke the blessing of the Almighty. However, the ceremony can be conducted without a priest. During the ceremony, the child is sat inside an arasi muram (a rattan sieve used to shift rice grains) with a white cloth placed on his head. The kozhukattai is then dropped over the child’s head.

While preparing the kozhukattai, a coin would have been placed in one of the many kozhukattai. The child is expected to pick up the kozhukattai with the coin inside it, but whatever the child picks up; everyone will cheer as the child slowly nibbles on the sweet kozhukattai with his brand new teeth.

WRITING ON RICE

Edhu ezhuthirathu or writing on rice grains is a ceremony that marks a significant milestone in a child’s life.

This ceremony is done in the temples on the tenth day of the Navarathiri festival i.e. Vijayathasami day. Since Vijayathasami is the day that Goddess Mahishasuramardini killed Mahishasuran, this day is often associated with success. Thus the child’s education is officiated on this auspicious day with the hope that his life-long pursuit of education will be a successful one.

Children who are about to begin their formal education i.e. going to preschool should perform this ceremony at the temple. The child is sat on the lap of the Guru or priest. The Guru then guides the finger of the child and traces the first letter of the Tamil alphabet on the rice grains placed in a tray.

Rice grains are used to invoke the sense of touch in the child. As the alphabet is traced, the child is made to pronounce the alphabet, thus invoking his sense of hearing. His sense of sight is invoked as he sees the alphabet being formed in the rice grains.

SPORTZ IT OUT by Vijhay Viknasvaran

The footballing await the crowning of FIFA World Player of the Year. There are several contenders who will vie the much coveted crown. To be labeled the best in the world in no ordinary feat.

Among the short listed players only two are to be spoken on the same breath on current form and how things have been over the last 1 year. Stand up Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The duos are arguably the best we have seen in recent years. Sorry Kaka but we the fans have short memories.

Messi is frequently considered as the greatest talent to have emerged in the sport of football after Diego Armando Maradona and is one of the best footballers on the player. At the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency that impeded him from growing.

Newell's were unable to afford the money required for the treatment of this disease which was about 500 pounds per month. Then FC Barcelona came calling. Not only did they look after Lionel Messi's problems, they also found work for his family in Barcelona and so came Messi to Spain.

From then on the Catalans have been repaid back every cents worth by his performances over the last few year. To watch the young lad play in person is an honour, his football is magical.

From 2005-2006 season onwards, the Argentine wonder kid began to exhibit his class and quality. He threaded his way into the starting line-up that consisted of the likes of Ronaldinho, Xavi, Deco and Samuel Eto'o among others and quickly became one of the most popular and most significant members of the club.

You would think that he should win the World Player of the Year award hands down but not when a certain Cristiano Ronaldo has been in rich vein of form. Ronaldo’s story is almost equally as great as Messi.

Ronaldo began his career as a youth player at C.D. Nacional and his successes with the team led to a move to Sporting two seasons afterwards. Ronaldo's precocious talent caught the attention of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Such an impression was made that the United players requested the gaffer to sign him. The next three years saw Ronaldo rising to global prominence, scoring frequently at both club and international level and receiving various awards for his accomplishments

He plays as a left or right winger and is one of the highest rated football stars in the world. Last season he broke record after record by scoring a huge a load of goals for his club. Nothing great if he was a striker but mind you he is winger! He is also an important player in the Portuguese National team having scored 18 goals by the age of 22.

However together with all the talent he brings to the game, he also brings arrogance which is second to none. This is in contrast to Messi who is a very humble person.

As Manchester United fan I would love to see my player Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award as he has won everything at United over the last 1 year compared to Messi’s zero count of medals.

ASTROLOGY IN HUMAN LIVES by Thinesh Silvaraju

Griha Pravesham is a ceremony performed on the occasion of one's first entry into a new house. Once the house is ready, the family moves in on an auspicious day that is determined by the astrological charts. Purity of the panchangam (almanac) and auspicious time or muhuratam must be considered during the griha pravesham. Three types of griha pravesham have been mentioned in our ancient scriptures:

Apoorva: First entry to newly constructed house on a newly selected land

Sapoorva: Entry into an already existing house after traveling abroad or migration elsewhere.

Dwandwah: Entry into a house to after reconstruction or renovation subsequent to damage due to fire, flood or earthquake

For apoorva griha pravesham, the exact auspicious time needs to be adhered to. For sapoorva griha pravesham or dwandwah griha pravesham, the purity of the panchangam should be given due consideration.

Vastu pooja

Vastu pooja for vastu devata is performed outside the house before the actual entry into the house. A copper pot is filled with water, navadhaniyam (nine kinds of grains) and one coin. A coconut is then placed on the top of the pot. Coconut is covered with the red cloth and tied with the red thread called moli. After this the priest performs the pooja, add the husband and wife take this copper pot in the house together and place it near the yaagam (ceremonial fire).

Vastu Shanti

Vastu shanti or Griha shanti, involves the offering to the devas or yaagam. A yaagam is performed to prevent harmful influences of the planets, remove negative vibrations and create a peaceful environment. Once all the poojas are concluded, a feast is offered to the priest. He is also given some dakshina or fees for his services and good wishes.

These two poojas are essential. Other poojas like the Ganapathi pooja, the Satyanarayan pooja or the Lakshmi pooja are optional, and can be performed if priest recommends them.

Griha pravesham is not complete until the doors of the house are fitted with shutters, the roof is covered, the Gods of vastu have been worshipped or offered sacrifices, the priests have been offered feast.

House-warming ceremony should not be performed when the lady of the house is pregnant or on Tuesdays.

Once the griha pravesham ceremony has been completed, the family can then move into the house.