"Upanayana" (literary meaning closeness of sight) and "Samavarthana" are two major rituals that could have a lot of impact on a young boy's mind. The first one introduces Brahman to a young boy and makes him a "Dwija" (born again) which means that he is born with this new knowledge again. Then he has to undergo strict disciplines of puja and penance to reach the end of this period of education which is marked by "Samavarthana". During this period, he is referred to as "Brahmachaari" (one who treads the path of Brahman) and the period might be as long as 7years/3 years/1year or even 4days depending on how fast their parents want to get it done with. My bro had done one year and so did I.
During mine and Bro's "upanayana" almost the whole village came, especially those staying close to temple. I was sad that my Muthassi (maternal grandmother) couldn't come for mine. From all mothers we are supposed to ask Bhiksha (asking alms)that day, the first one being grand mother. It's supposed that we are going to Kashi (Varanasi) and living the life of mendicant while earning knowledge. We are also invested with "ponool" (sacred thread) and "Krishnajina" (an amulet made from skin of krishna deer). The sacred thread stays with us forever and krishnajina is only put when we go to temple, that too till "Samavarthana".
As kids this restricts freedom. You are not allowed to play with your friends as freely as other times. And one is supposed to eat nothing from outside his home, ideally nothing other than what his mother cooks for him. The kid has to do a puja at dawn and dusk which involves chanting and offering twigs of "plashu" tree (locally we call 'chamatha' and this puja itself is known as 'Chamatha') into fire. So every time it needs 4 twigs of this tree to be offered in fire. One of the main activity that I had to do was to collect this twig from wherever this tree stood in our village. Had to go to other people's houses or to temple to get this. Vinod, who is well acquainted with temple pujas and customs used to come with me to climb 'chamatha' and cut those twigs for me.
Once I had to travel to my Ammath (Amma's place at Palakkad for my Ammaman's (Uncle) marriage) in between. Since it was for four days, I took 4*8=32 chamatha twigs with me so that I don't have to go in search of it when I reach there. I went to attend the marriage reception and returned earlier than any others alone to Ammmath to do my evening chamatha. After making everything like Thulasi (basil) leaves and utensils ready, I couldn't locate my twigs. I searched everywhere and unable to find, I started profusely shedding tears thinking that I may not able to do it that evening. Then fortunately my perassiamma (Amma's elder sister) came and figured that she had misplaced that small bag of twigs somewhere and thus I was relieved.
Personally for me it was a period after which I lost my habit of hitting people in my school. The toughest thing that I felt was that I was not given papad (a side snack for rice) for that year since it was usually bought from outside. Usually kids are taught other chants and pujas during this time, but we both were spared since we were going to school and was tough for father to make us sit after his work hours.
"Samavarthana" was fun. Mine coincided with my grandfather's 84th B'day at Illam (ancestral home which is almost 8KMs east of Taliparamba). This B'day was itself a great celebration when many relatives, villagers, eminent people, all came to wish him. 84th B'day coincides with the time when a person would have seen 1000 full moons (if we calculate this, it is approximately correct)and is supposed to be very auspicious. On the eve of Samavarthana day, my eyes were folded with a white cloth which was opened next day showing me simultaneously a calf and then sun (signs of auspiciousness). When I was blind folded I remember my cousins coming after me and doing some mischiefs and having fun.
I was happy that after a year, I could eat a good sadya (a meal with many delicious dishes served in order) which included PAPAD!:-)
PS: For past 10 days, have used a lot of words to express a lot of views/impressions. Now needs some time off.. at least till I finish my exams. As long as the words point one towards silence, they are meaningful.
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