Dundee Hindu Temple prepares for Purtassi
Although devotees observe an entire month of fasting, prayers are performed each Saturday during that month.
Purtassi is observed by Tamil and Telegu speaking south Indians. Homage is paid to Lord Vishnu (the preserver) who is invoked as Perumal, Govinda, Venketeswara, Narayana, Srinivasa, Balaji and more.
It is believed that during Purtassi, He comes to earth to guide people from their misery. Devotees observe a month-long fast during Purtassi, beginning this year on Wednesday, September 18 and ending on October 17.
During this time, devotees do not eat meat in any form – eggs and fish included – do not consume alcohol, do not go out unless to family homes or the temple, do not eat food from people who are not fasting and do not eat takeaways. In preparation for the fast, homes are cleaned, freezers and fridges are cleared out, and yards and areas around the house are scrubbed and cleaned.
Although devotees observe an entire month of fasting, prayers are performed each Saturday during that month. On each Saturday during Purtassi, devotees observe a dry/saltless fast (if manageable).
Prayers are observed in the afternoon so the fast can be broken at sundown. The prayer begins outside the house/temple first to the sun, then to Lord Ganesha to remove all obstacles and then to Lord Perumalsami.
It is believed that those who worship Lord Perumalsami will be freed from their sins and blessed with an abundance of happiness, joy and spiritual wealth. The month of Purtassi is a time to reconnect with God, ask for forgiveness and fast as a form of sacrifice.
The Dundee Hindu Temple will observe the first Saturday Purtassi prayer on September 21, from 3pm.
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Pithra Paksh commenced on September 14 and is observed by Hindi speaking north Indians.
‘Pitra’ refers to ancestors and ‘paksha’ means a particular time, so Pithra Paksh is the time they offer prayers and food to their ancestors. Homage is paid to the souls of ancestors and departed ones for a period of 15 days.
Donations of uncooked food grains and items of clothing are made during this time to one’s ancestors and departed ones to gratify their souls. Their scriptures say that if you fail to offer food and water to the ancestors, then in the afterlife you will also remain without and water.
Devotees observing Pithra Paksh eat only vegetarian foods and abstain from all pleasurable activity. No new ventures or celebrations are done during Pithra Paksh and it is believed that during this 15 day period, one’s ancestors and departed ones come down to earth to bless their kin. Tarpan and Shraddha are performed in order to please them.
Tarpan is the ritual of offering water with sesame seeds to the souls of the departed. After taking a bath, a ring made of kush grass is worn, and the water with sesame seeds and sometimes flower petals are offered with both hands to the ancestors.
Shraddha is the ritual of offering food specially prepared in memory of one’s ancestors. The food is placed outside and a crow (which is considered the messenger of Yama) eating the food is considered an auspicious sign.
Pithra Paksh ends on September 28, and thereafter Hindus commence the 10-day fast for Navarathri. During these 10 days, homage is paid to the Mother Goddess in her forms as Durga, Laxmi and Saraswathi.
The Dundee Hindu Temple wishes all Hindus -north and south Indians – a blessed and fruitful fasting period.
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