Madi:
Madi is the outfit (saree) worn by the
Brahmin woman for doing pooja, preparation of food and the time of rituals. Madi
is practiced only in Brahmins. Wearing Madi is considered the person to be pure
in body.
Cultural
Beliefs:
In Brahmin community, ancestors have
introduced custom of Madi while cooking food and performing pooja for the
purity of physical body.
Madi
Instructions:
- After taking bath, put on washed clothes.
- The clothes should be untouched by other persons.
- Collect only fresh water to cook the food and to wash the vegetables.
- All the food grains like salt, sugar, rice and other items has to be touched when we are in madi.
Interesting
Facts:
- The yarn that is used for madi saree does not involve killing of the silk worms, so that it won’t bring any sin after wearing.
- Cow Milk is considered to be non-madi as it is the purest.
- Food cooked has to be offered first to god and then we need to consume it.
Science:
- Madi is used for purity of the physical body and a clean mind.
- By wearing Madi, cleanliness is maintained.
- Bacteria, germs can enter the food if we don’t maintain cleanliness.
2 comments:
Came across this post by chance. Yes, madi is considered necessary for both physical and mental purity. Most often when women wear a saree for madi, it is practice to wear a nine yard saree and that too with a kacche. This is followed by Iyers, Iyengars, Madhwas and Smarthas, although everyone has their own style of wearing the saree. I am am Madhwa and our family follows this, we are required to wear a nine yard saree with a kacche (this looks similar to what the Maharashtrians wear) whenever we are required to follow madi strictly, this is poojas for festivals, vrathas, important ceremonies etc. Of course, like everything else about following customs, this is becoming less and less common. From what I see around, I do see Iyengars and Madhwas following this often, Iyers to some extent, not so much with Smarthas. There is lot of thought behind all these kinds of practices. If only our elders and scholars did a better job of explaining about this and encouraged people to follow, it would help us spiritually as well as in general life (in terms of cleanliness). I am happy to comment on this if you think you would like me to share more about what we (Madhwas) follow.
With regards,
Srilakshmi
SriLakshmi You are always welcome to share things....
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