| This is performed during the period between the fifth and the eighth months of pregnancy. The specific materials used during this Samskara, are for the lady only. They are, the quill of a porcupine, an ear of ripe paddy and some Udumbara leaves. The deity invoked is Rekha, the presiding deity of the full moon. Their implications are: that the pregnancy should be fruitful; the child should be endowed with sharp and penetrating intellect (like the sharp quill of the porcupine). The child should be beautiful like the full moon. The gist of the Mantra is: “I beseech the goddess Rekha. May she make this ceremony blemish less. May my child be endowed with sharp intellect.” During the ceremony the pregnant woman should enjoy music, especially on the veena. At the close of the ceremony she touches a male calf, symbolizing a son. Seemantham | Item | Quantity | | Turmeric powder | 1 Packet | | Kumkum | 1 Packet | | Sandalwood powder/tablets/paste | 1 Packet | | Agarbatthi | 1 Packet | | Betel leaves | 15 | | Betel Nuts | 1 Small Packet | | | | Flowers | 2 Bouquets | | Bananas | 12 | | 5 Variety of fruits | Few of each kind | | Coconuts | 5 | | | | Rice | 2 pounds | | For Puja at home, the following items, in addition to the above | | Kalasam | 1 | | Saffron, Cloves, Cardamom, Pachha karpooram | Small quantities for Kalasam | | Mango Leaves | 1 Packet | | Pancha Patram and Udharani or Unused Cup and spoon | 1 | | Kodam | 1 | | Bell | 1 | | Deepam ( Lamps ) | 1 | | Aluminum baking trays (medium size) | 2 | | Dry coconut | 2 | | Fire wood chips | 1 Packet | | Ghee | 1 pound | | Havan samagri | 1 Packet | | Bricks | 6 | | Camphor | 1 Packet | | Paper towels | 1 Roll | | Trays for fruits and flowers | 5 | | Naivedyam (prasadam) | Rava kesari, And / Or Sweet Pongal | | Milk | 1 cup | | Bangles | As desired | | Garland | 2 | | Quarters | 40 Coins | | Dresses | For couple | | Sweets for distribution | As per their tradition |
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