Srardham / Davasam
srardham chamayal
Guidelines for Performing Srardham Ritual
Shraddha rites and rituals are an integral continuation of the funeral ceremonies prescribed in Hindu Dharma. Hindu culture emphasizes the importance of serving our parents and close relatives during their lifetime as a sacred duty. This obligation does not end with their passing; instead, it extends to supporting them after death.
The Shraddha rituals offer a profound opportunity to fulfill these duties and repay our debts to the Pitars (departed ancestors). By performing these rites, we ensure a comfortable afterlife for our departed loved ones, free from distress, and aid them in attaining Sadgati (momentum toward higher spiritual realms).
Neglecting these post-funeral rites can leave the desires of our Pitars unfulfilled. Such unfulfilled desires may make them vulnerable to negative energies, which can entrap and enslave them. Performing Shraddha ensures their peace and spiritual progression while also upholding our dharmic responsibilities.
Date & Thithi:
The Srartham / Devasam ritual is performed on the same Tamil month and Thithi (lunar day) as the persons demise. Srardham thithi occurs twice a month, so it is better to make a note of it , whether it falls after Amavasya (New Moon) or Pournami (Full Moon). Remember to note down these details for future . The Sastrigal (priest) typically helps identify the correct Thithi.
Preparations Before Srardham
Informing the Sastrigal:
Usually the family sastrigal will remind you of the date, but many are busy in other functions and are likely to forget, so it is in your interest to remind well in advance .Madi Vastram (Ceremonial Attire):
The Karta (performer of the ritual), their spouse, siblings, and the one cooking must wear Madi Vastram.
For men: Panchakacham & Angavasthram.
For women: 9-yard saree., usually if the wife is cooking for the davasam, it is necessary according to custom to take bath , and cook in wet clothes . however due to difficulties many are avoiding this step but will cook after taking bath and wear the dry madi clothes.
Madi Vastram is prepared by taking a head bath, soaking the clothes, drying them in an untouched space, and wearing them on the ritual day.
Food Preparations (Day Before):
Cook vegetarian food (no onion, garlic) at home.
Ingredients Permitted for Cooking in Sradhham
The following items are traditionally used for preparing food during Sradhham:
Grains & Pulses: Black gram, black sesame seeds, wheat, cowpea.
Vegetables: Bitter gourd, snake gourd, yam, colocasia, lablab beans, banana pseudo-stem.
Fruits: Jackfruit, mango, pomegranate, curry leaves, lemon, banana, Ilanthai fruit (jujube), gooseberry, grapes.
Spices & Condiments: Pepper, jeera (cumin), cardamom.
Other Items: Honey, ghee, Kandasari sugar, jaggery, sea salt, cow’s milk, curd (prepared from cow’s milk).
Herbs: Thoothuvalai, Pirandai.
Additional Notes:
Some households also use:
Coconut, mustard, Bengal gram, ash gourd, wood apple, and chilies.
Follow the customs and practices specific to your family.
Usage of Fruits, Sweets, Milk, Curd, and Ghee
Items like fruits, sweet preparations, milk, curd, and ghee are considered free from taint (seshatvam).
Even if offered to the manes (pitrus), the remaining portion can be consumed by others.
Avoid outside food and leftovers.
Use cleaned bronze vessels: The following are some of the necessary vessels in brass , bronze for performing the srardham .
RITUAL ITEMS for performiong Srardham
1. Thulasi leaves about (10 pieces)
2. Akshathams (white raw rice), clean the rice with water and dry it out. You can use rice that we use for cooking rice for brahmins .
3. Sandal Paste home ground, avoid store powder
4. Dharba grass,
5. Wooden seats (Asana / Palaga )
6. Varatty (made out of clean cow dung), dry wood scraps / Chethool
7. Match box
8. Hand fan / Visari for Homa Agni
9. Samithu / Dry Plasa tree branches – one bundle
10. Camphor box
11. Betel leafs + Pakku ( arecanut , betel leaves around 50 numbers)
12. Cow Ghee 250 grams , prepared at home
13. A bowl of raw rice , one plantain , betel leaves with paaku and dakshina
Srardham kinnam( cups ) about 8 nos
Pancha Pathram & Udhruni 3 pairs, one for the karta, two for two brahmins
Brass trays about 4
1 bronze pot for cooking rice with one brass anna karandi ( rice ladle)
1 small bronze pot ( chombu) for the karta
1 small bronze cup for keeping ghee for tjhe agni
Purchase for the srardham chamayal , seperate provisions . Keep it aside .
Essentials: Vellam, Moong Dal, Urad Dal, raw rice, pepper, jeera, mustard seeds, sesame seeds, refined & gingelly oil, salt, cardamom, wheat flour, honey, Nattu Sakkarai, Sikakkai.
Vegetables/Fruits: Raw banana, bitter gourd, raw mango, snake gourd, curry leaves, ginger, etc.
Banana leaves for serving food. Sufficient no of big broad banana leaves must be purchased, you can ask for brahmin leaves, as it will be broad, and each brahmin needs two leaves each , and another 1-2 extra for them to prepare the dhonnai or leaf cups . you can purchase additional leaves fo family members .
keep seperately Gingelly oil (100 ml) and brass cups to pour oil to be given to brahmins for taking bath .
Cheekai thool / soap nut powder /seeka kai [powder
Kitchen Preparation:
Clean cooking area, gas stove, and fridge.
Boil milk and prepare fresh curd.
srardham chamayal
Ritual Day Guidelines
Do's:
Take a head bath and wear Madi Vastram before any activity.
Cook using bronze vessels.
Don'ts:
Avoid oil baths, cosmetics, soaps, or perfumes.
Do not consume food other than ritual-specific meals.
Avoid leftovers, noise while serving.
Do not use milk for meals or leave hair loose.
Guidelines for Sraddham Practices
Clothing:
Do not wear used or soiled clothes (Vizhuppu).
Deva Pooja:
There is no need to perform the Pratha Kaala Deva Pooja (morning deity worship) at home until the Sraddham is completed.
Silence and Hygiene During Cooking:
Avoid unnecessary conversations while preparing food.
Maintain total silence while serving.
Ensure no spit or saliva contaminates the food prepared for the Pithrus (ancestors).
Interactions with Brahmanas:
Do not ask the Brahmana if they liked the food.
The Brahmana should not express liking for the food. Such statements are considered to negate the offering to the Pithrus.
Appearance and Tilaka:
Avoid combing hair or using beautifying products like Vibhoothi (sacred ash) before the Sraddham.
Vibhoothi particles falling on the Pindam (rice balls) or Koorcham (ritual grass) may cause the Pithrus to attain immediate Mukti (liberation), disrupting the ritual.
Sandal paste is less prone to falling and is acceptable.
The Pithrus prefer simplicity and avoid well-dressed or ornamented Karthas (ritual performers).
Dedicated Utensils and Food Preparation:
Items used for Sraddham cooking must be kept separately until the Brahmana Bhojanam (meal).
Mixing or using these items for other purposes beforehand is considered equivalent to offering leftovers (Sesham), which is unacceptable.
Serving Food:
Serve food on banana leaves; leftovers and leaves must be given to cows or buried.
Follow family customs for serving food (e.g., Vishnu Ilai).
Important Facts and Rules for Conducting Sraddham
Family Customs and Number of Brahmanas:
Each family follows unique customs and procedures for Sraddham.
The number of Brahmanas invited may vary, but there should be a minimum of three:
One representing Pithruswaroopa (ancestral form).
One representing Pithru Pithamaha (paternal ancestors).
One as Sraddha Samrakshaka Prathyaksha Mahavishnu (protector of the ritual in the form of Lord Vishnu).
Swami Elai Practices:
Some families place Vishnu Padam (symbolic feet of Lord Vishnu) on the Swami Elai (ritual leaf for deity offerings), while others use a piece of sandalwood.
Providing Details to the Acharyan/Vadhyar:
If the Acharyan (spiritual guide) or Vadhyar (priest) performing the Sraddham is not your family’s regular priest, provide a written list of ancestor names and Gothrams (lineage) well in advance.
This helps avoid errors during the ritual.
Rituals of Srardham
Inviting Acharyan/Vadhyar and Brahmanas:
Invite them well in advance and send a reminder 2-3 days before the Sraddham.
Welcoming Brahmanas:
On the day of Sraddham, warmly receive the Brahmanas at the Graha (house).
Offering Essentials:
Provide Gingelly Oil for Abhyanga Snanam (ritual bath), along with Noothana Vasthram (new garments – Double Veshti and Uthareeyam).
Preparation of the Kartha:
The Kartha (performer of the ritual) must bathe again after offering the oil and wear Noothana Vasthram (Pancha Gacham for householders).
No makeup, combing hair, or admiring oneself in the mirror is permitted.
Remove all metal items except the Pavithra Mothiram (sacred ring) if customary.
Applying Tilakam on the forehead is prohibited.
Vichinna Aoupasanam:
Re-invoke the Aoupasanagni (sacred fire), which many discontinue after the marriage ritual. This fire is essential for the Homam.
Paada Prakshalanam (Foot Ablution):
Wash the feet of the Brahmanas representing Vasu, Rudra, and Aditya Swaroopam (ancestral forms), excluding the Pithru Paadam. Follow this with Prokshanam (sprinkling water).
Sraaddha Homam:
Perform the Homam (fire ritual) as prescribed.
Brahmana Bhojanam:
Serve food to the Brahmanas with respect and adherence to rituals.
Pithru Tharpanam and Pinda Pradhanam:
Offer Pindam (rice balls) to the ancestors and subsequently to the crow.
Pradakshina Namaskaram:
Perform circumambulation and prostration, with the youngest leading, followed by elders.
Offer generous Dakshina (monetary offerings) to the Brahmanas for their sacrificial service. Ensure the Brahmana family’s welfare by compensating liberally, as they forgo personal well-being by accepting the Sraddham food.
Agni Upasthanam:
Conclude the fire ritual with reverence.
Aseervadham (Blessings):
Receive blessings from the Brahmanas.
Ceremonial Send-Off:
Spread the Uthareeyam on the floor for the Brahmanas to walk over. Apply the dust from their feet (Paada Dhooli) on the Kartha's head, symbolizing ancestral blessings.
Raksha Wearing and Tilaka Dharanam:
The Kartha wears the Raksha (protective thread) and applies the Tilakam.
Lighting the Lamp:
Light the lamp for the Upasana Moorthy (deity in the home temple).
Brahma Yagnam:
Perform the Brahma Yagnam as a concluding ritual.
Bhojanam (Meal):
The Kartha and family partake in the ritual meal after all ceremonies are completed.
Menu for Srartham
Menu:
1. Curd Pachadi / Kichadi
2. Sweet Pachadi
3. 2 Vegetable curries (Koottu)
4. Parikai Pitla as Kozhambu
5. Rasam
6. Curd
7. Payasam
8. Parupu for serving on the leaf
9. Curry leaves thuvayal
10. Cut mango and ginger pesarel or
11. Ginger slices/keeral
12. Bakshanam: Vadai (urad vadai ) .Suhiyan, Adhirasam , halwa ( home made wheat )
13. Ghee Appam
14. Ellurundai
15. 3 Fruits – (elaichi banana, mango, jackfruit). If these fruits are not available, you could just serve elaichi banana. I have given recipes for all the srardham chamayal in a blog post with full procedures in this blog , do check it out
Items for Homam (Fire Ritual)
Homa Kundam, bricks, sand, ghee, paddy kernels, hand fan, mat, and other items as per Sastrigal’s list.
Srardham / davasam rites and rituals are an integral continuation of the funeral ceremonies prescribed in Hindu Dharma. Hindu culture emphasizes the importance of serving our parents and close relatives during their lifetime as a sacred duty. This obligation does not end with their passing; instead, it extends to supporting them after death.