Monday 11 March 2013

Haldi Kum Kum..!

No I am not talking about Heidi Klum today. ;)
[Me and my Bad Jokes...LOL..Never Mind..!]

Today's post is an extension of the post I did on Makar Sankranti.

Haldi Kum Kum literally means Turmeric and Vermillion.
While the one, I am writing about today is a social gathering in which married women exchange haldi (turmeric) and kumkum (vermilion powder), as a symbol of their married status and wish for their husbands' long lives.
(Still wonder, why Indian traditions do not have any festivals/rituals where men pray for their wives long lives..! Never Mind..!! Coz that does not stop me from celebrating this festival.)

In Maharashtrian culture, this is an important ritual followed by married women, and it's not at all mandatory, strictly voluntary. As a kid I really loved attending Haldi Kum Kum ceremonies and I joined my mom wherever she went.

Before, I begin on how I do this, let me again remind you, this may not be the most correct way of doing Hadi Kum Kum. But this is how my mom did it, and I follow suit.
Haldi Kum Kum is an event which is hosted by married women and is an extension of the Makar Sankranti Festivities.
Apart from exchanging Haldi Kum Kum, Til Laddoos and Sugar Candies, there is something else that is given away as part of the ceremony.
Generally ladies are free to choose the item to be given away, which can be anything like:
> Beauty item:Bindis,earrings, hair clips, nail paints, etc
> Daily household items: Containers, Spoons, dishes, etc
> Grocery items: Tea Packets, Sugar, Jaggery, Ghee,etc.

But while hosting the Haldi Kum Kum ceremony for the first five years post marriage, the give away items are fixed. (Again, there is no hard and fast rule, and no one can sue you for not following it.)

Year One: Haldi Kum Kum only
Year Two: Green Glass bangles
Year Three: Hair Combs
Year Four: Mirrors
Year Five: Brass Diyas. (Mom says that the fifth year giveaway item used to be a gold plated bead, but with the prices of gold touching the sky, people must have switched over to cheaper forms of metal.)

This was my third year hosting this event, and I wanted to share a few pics with you.
Hope you like them.

The container holding the Haldi Kum Kum

The Sugar Candies
 
The Til Laddoos
 
 
 
 
Hair Combs:The Giveaway item
 
Haldi Kum Kum in a Fancy package.
 
 This is how I packed the Laddoos, Sugar Candies, and Haldi Kum Kum for ease of carrying.
 
The Haldi Kum Kum Items decide to pose for So-Saree

 
That's the Saree I wore that evening.
 
 
 

 Have a nice day. :)

31 comments:

  1. This looks like such a fun festival...We never have these at my place(am marwari)..otherwise I would be there in a minute! :D
    ~Shreya
    http://fashionbaubles.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it is...if u ever visit mumbai..let me know, i will arrange one for u. :)

      Delete
  2. nice yaar , hum to marwadi hokar kucch follow nai karte.
    My recent post
    Be Trendy With Trend Shop !!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow gal...That duck is so cute. And the Haldi Kum Kum buds are cute too. Very innovative haan... I have hosted just one Haldi Kum Kum since marriage. We dont have restrictions on giveaways though.
    I loved the way you have decorated the plate. Even I have made one but didn't know what to use it for.. Will post about it soon. Thanx to your post.. Now my decorated plate has got a purpose to serve
    : )


    platinumdivinity.blogspot.in

    ReplyDelete
  4. ciao,

    I was in your Country in October . Never in my life I've enjoyed my holidays as my this year . India is beautiful , lovely people , lovely food ( little bit spicy) and now you introduce me to your tradition.I'm sparing my money to come back one again.
    I'm going to follow your blog , I'd love if you could follow back .

    Ave
    Why you didn't publish photo of the ceremony ? Is not allowed? not polite ? It is very interesting

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. M glad to know u love coming to our country.

      Delete
  5. Oh.. I never knew about this tradition either.... THis is a lovely post!! :)

    http://letstalkabouteverything1.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. That's great !! Love celebrating it the traditional way too :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nice! Love the way you have decorated everything. It looks so colourful and special :)

    http://everythingthatclicks.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. lovely colors <3 i love it!

    do you want to follow each other?
    visit my blog ^^
    www.luchluchcraft.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow..such a pretty ceremony!! Hope you are having a wonderful day!
    -Jyoti
    Style Delights Blog

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful decoration and lovely stuff! I've attended a couple haldi kumkum here in the US too!
    Thanks a bunch for your sweet comment, Aditi!
    Love
    Juneli from Fashionably Yours

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nice. I didn’t know about this ritual. Is it also called Savaan.. They follow in Punjab.. 40 days or something..

    love
    http://www.meghasarin.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thnx Mehga. I don't think this is similar to savaan.

      Delete
  12. good explanation about this ritual,Im totally new to this :)
    Good photos!

    She Rockin Them Stilettos

    ReplyDelete
  13. Absolutely fantastic post..........
    http://magnefiestaofmumbai.blogspot.in/

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beautiful decorations & lovely stuff!!!!!

    Visit my blog I'm new too this ^_^
    http://bubblesmimii.blogspot.com

    and maybe we can follow each other? ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  15. Never heard about this... sounds so much fun. What do the ladies do when they get together? Games, singing and gossip I presume.

    ReplyDelete
  16. With BullionVault you can purchase physical precious metals bars at current spot prices.

    Your bullion may be stored at one of 5 secured global vaults. And you are able to trade it online or take away physical bars.

    ReplyDelete

 

Blog Design: Eden Technologies