Mahalapatcham

Mahalapatcham(Pitr Paksha or Shraadhas) commences on the 13 of September and ending on the 27th of September 2011, this is the period whereby offerings are made to the ancestors (pithru).

The story behind Mahalapatcham

It is said in the Maha Baratham there was once a very good lovable compassionate and kind man called Karna who always gave to charity in the form of money.

The day he passed on from this mortal world and went to the higher regions (heaven) there was lots of gold and silver given to him but there was no food for him to consume.

The angel of death took pity on him and allowed him to descend on earth for a period of 14 days the last day being the new moon night (amavasai) to go and feed many people. When he ascended to the higher regions there were lots for him to consume.

Please take note

The souls of our departed ancestors are identified as follows:
• Adityapithru – Great Grand Father
• Rudrapithru – Grand Father
• Vasupithru – Father


During this period one can remember all his ancestors it does not have to be a specific person.

This period proves to us that the soul never dies the spirit is everlasting and is always guiding us.

By honoring your ancestors, devotees may perform the following rituals a Shanti havan, offering water with till seeds and dharpar grass, offering food and by feeding the less fortunate


coconut

Requirements:


  • 1 Coconut
  • 3 kinds of fruit
  • Sambrani
  • Charcoal
  • Incense sticks
  • Camphor
  • Flower petals
  • Ghee
  • Till seeds
  • Kus grass(dharpar)
  • Coins
  • 2 betel leaves and nuts.

A simple way to perform the prayer


The prayer maybe performed any day during the 14th day period. Photos of your ancestors may be placed where the prayer will be performed. 1 clay lamp with ghee must be placed in front of photo’s and light it. Burn 5 incense sticks and charcoal with sambrani.

Take a dish or bucket fill half way with water and a little milk take a betel leave, 1 piece of dharpar, 1 coin, till seeds and place it on the leave put your two hands together put your hand into the dish of water scooping some water into your hands and the leave you than turn your hand to the right side throwing little water out to the right, then to the left throwing little water out, than forward throwing a little water out than backwards releasing everything into the water.

This must be performed by every member of the family thereafter this water can be thrown into the river or by a tree. The vegetarian food must be placed in front of photos as well as fruit with 1 betel leave, betel nut, 1 coin and 1 flower. Turn coconut 3 times and break placing two halves on either side of the food. Turn sambrani thereafter turn camphor, sprinkle water and kneel down and pray.

Please feed the less fortunate.

The various prayers that maybe chanted from the Sivapuranam(Namashivaya Vaazhga)

You may sing songs from the Thevaaram as well.

Concluding Prayer

  • Om asaot ma sad gamaya (From untruth (Oh Lord) lead me to Truth)
  • Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya (From darkness lead me to light)
  • Mrityorma amritam gamaya (From death lead me to Immortality.)
  • Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti Om (Om Peace, Peace, Peace, Om)

 

  • Arut-perum Jothi (The gracious great light)
  • Arut-perum Jothi Thanip-perum Karunai(the gracious light, the unmatched mercy of)
  • Arut-perum Jothi (GOD as the Great light)
  • Aum Shanti Shanti Shanti