Tamilians perform an occasion called Manjal Neerattu Vizha, to celebrate their daughter attaining adulthood. They invite their relatives and neighbors for the proceedings and formally announce it. The purpose of the ceremony is to provide awareness to the daughter about the changes that will proceed, and also to make them clear about Do s and Don’t s, they should follow. The girls will be made to wear the traditional dress saree, and they are showered with turmeric water, during the occasion.
For ritual seclusion, a kudisai (hut) is made of fresh leaves, from leaves of coconut, neem and mango, among others. This hut may be either inside or outside the house. The kudisai is furnished with all the things needed by the girl, including toiletries, clothing and vessels. Food is brought to her, and she takes complete rest. She is helped by other women while bathing. Daily bathing alternates between ‘head-bath’ and ‘ordinary bath.’ When she goes to the toilet, she must carry neem leaves and something made of iron, to ward off evil spirits. Special foods are prescribed for this seclusion, which is continued for 9, 11 or 13 days (it must be an odd number of days).
(Photos by Srinivasa Raghavan)
