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. :)