MARANOTTAR

Things required:
1. Round cakes of cooked rice.(one big oblong of 3.5cm diameter and three small of 2.5 cm)
2. Sandalwood paste
3. Incense
4. White flowers
5. Framed photographs of the deceased.

According to Hindu religion, life doesn't finish with death. Death is just another link in the ongoing process of life, it is hoped that the next life of the departed soul will be better than the last one. The rituals that are done for this purpose are Shradh Karma, and are conducted on either the twelfth or the thirteenth day after the death of a person. This also signifies the end of the mourning period. The house in which the death had occurred is cleaned and purified. Some people even get a fresh coat of paint for the house. The pind daan that is made on that day is not only for the deceased but also for three preceding generations of the departed.
After the pind daan, Lord Vishnu is worshipped. Once this is all over, the house is declared clean. A havan is performed. To appease the soul, bedding, jewelry and food are donated in charity. Thirteen brahmins are invited and fed. 13 lotas (pots), 13 janeu (holy thread), 13 aasans (mats) and 13 Gitas are donated to them. This is done in the hope that the departed soul is not left wanting for anything.

VARSHIK SHRADH

Things required:
1. Havan samagri
2. The Bhagwat Gita for the Gita path
The day of the cremation is supposed to be observed as the Punya Tithi (holy date). On this date, a havan is performed and Gita path is done. Brahmins are fed. After the death and till the first yearly Shradh, all the rituals are carried in the house where the death took place. After the Barsi or the first yearly shradh, all the other children can perform Shradhs in their respective houses.

SOCIAL CEREMONIES

BHOOMI POOJAN

The earth not only bears the seeds but also has capacity to bear good and bad sanskars. According to Hindu culture, earth is considered to be a mother. Before beginning any auspicious event, Bhoomi poojan or worshipping the earth is a must.

Things required:
1. A vessel full of Ganges water
2. Leaves of mango
3. Flowers, roli, grains of rice
4. Turmeric
5. Betel nut
6. Durba grass
7. Kalava (red thread)

The place where Bhoomi poojan is conducted is cleaned and purified. Then the following rituals take place.

1. Shatkarm
The persons performing Bhoomi pooja are made to do shatkarma.
a) Pavitrikaran
b) Aachaman
c) Shikhavandan
d) Pranayam
e) Najas
f) Prithivi poojan
2. Sankalp

Rice grains, flower petals, water are given in the hands of those performing the ritual. They offer it to the Bhoomi while reciting the shlokas.
3. Devi poojan
Invoking the gods is done.
4. Bhoomi abhishinchan
To purify the place, pure water or Ganges water is sprinkled with the help of mango leaves or flowers. Mantras are read.
5. Pran pratishtha and poojan
Rice grain and flower petals are sprinkled on the earth by using the right hand. Mantras are read.
6. Manglik dravya sthapna

After the poojan, auspicious things are put inside the Bhoomi or earth. First the objects with which the earth has to be dug are worshipped by anointing them with roli. Rice grains and flowers are then offered. A small pit is then dug. Auspicious things like turmeric, durba grass, betel nuts, kalava, and rice grains are put inside the pit. Auspicious metals like gold, silver can also be put. Shlokas are recited.

Grihapravesh

Things required:
1.Copper pot
2.Peanuts
3.Dry fruits
4.Pede

The Grihapravesh is also called Vastu. The complete ritual takes six to seven hours. Early in the morning Vastu pooja for Vastu devta is performed outside the house before the actual entry into the house. During Vastu pooja, a kumbh(copper pot, as in the Bhoomi pooja), is consecrated through worship out side the house. The Vastu pooja is undertaken to expiate the sins that could have been committed by the owners of the house during construction.

After completing the Vastu and Kumbh puja, the copper pot is taken inside the house by the husband and wife to a place where havan and various pujas take place. In the ritual inside the house different pujas like, pooja of sun, pooja of lamp, Ganpathi pooja, Pooja of the Kul devta, pooja of four directions, showering(abhishek) of the couple with water, Lakshmi pooja and Homa are all done.

This pooja is concluded by distributing peanuts, dry fruits and pede- a kind of sweet made of milk, as prasads. Finally the guests are fed.