Thamboolam
Compiled by
P.R.Ramachander
(I have refrred to posts in face book and also in the web
in Tamil.Thanks to all authors)
Thamboola is the combined name which is normally given to
Betel leaf and Betel nut ,It is believed
that the goddesses Parvathi , Lakshmi
and Saraswathi in live in betel leaf
, It was being chewed by males
and females for getting a great
super feeling.Women also used to
do it for making their lip colour read
It is a custom almost throughout India to
offer Thamboola to the guests (athithi_) , before they depart to their home Also
It was a practice of all
people to chew Betelnut
and betel leaf on which lime is
applied after a heavy meals. Scientists
did find that betelnut has carcinogenic properties and slowly this custom is disappearing.
Thamboola in South india
Thamboola is
given during many occasions in south
1.When unmarried and married ladies(who are not widows ) come to our
house , it is a custom to give , Thamboola, Kumkum and round Turmeric
roots to them. .
2.Since betel leaf is considered as the personification of truth , on the day
when marriage engagement
day(nischya THamboolam- ), Betel leaf and Betel nut are exchanged.
3,It is also a
practice to offer Thamboola to
gods during worship .This is done after food articles are offered to God.
4.Whenever a
DAkshina(religious fee) or Dhaana(gift)
is given , it is always accompanied
by Thamboola
5.It is a
practice for ladies of the family to invite
other married ladies on festival
days or on days when they do a special
pooja, and offer them Thamboola.It is
also considered as sign of friendship
6.When we
go to another home to invite them to a
function in our house normally thamboola
is offered
7, Thamboola is given to
make mother Goddess Happy .It is
believed she will take Thamboola from you in some form.She may come even as
servant maid, lady selling flowers
etc and so being Choosy in giving Thamboola is bad
and may cause harm to you
A full and elaborate
thamboola in south india consists of
1.Betel leaf , 2.Betel
nut , 3 Turmeric and kumkum 4.Comb 5.A small mirror, 6.Bangles, 7.Yellow
thread 8.Coconut 9.Banana fruit
10.Flowers 11,Maruthani (mehandhi) 12. Kajal , 13.Dakshinai 14,Ravikkai
cloth or Sari (some people add a small piece of Jaggery with it)
a.Among themTurmeric
, Kumkum and yellow thread increases
the life span of your husband.
b.Comb
inceases life span of husband
c.Mirror
protects health of husband
d.Bangles would increase
your peace of mind
e.Coconut to get
your sins removed-Dehusked coconut is
preferred
f.Banana gets you
effect of giving food as charity
g.Flower
increases your happiness
h.Mehandhi to
prevent skin diseases
i.Kajal for
preventing evil eye falling on you
j.Dakshina(fees) to get blessing of Goddess Lakshmi
k,Blouse piece/sari to get effect of Vasthra Dhana-Once upon a time Blouse was useful to all ladies but nowadays with
ladies shifting their dress habits
, it has become less
useful.Instead of Blouse piece/Sari, you can give useful presents to
them.
It is not necessary to give all the above things while
giving thamboola
If some one
invites you for Thamboola , it is believed the
one invited should go .Even if they give only betel leaf and betel nut, it should be received with happiness
Rules of giving
Thamboola
1.The one who gives THamboola should face the east
2,The one who receives it
should sit on a chair or mat
facing them\
3.It is normal to give some thing to drink to them, at least water
3.It is normal to give some thing to drink to them, at least water
4,If you are
giving coconut, slightly applu turmeric on it , put a kumkum mark , show
it to Goddess and give it to them
5.All materials of THamboola should be kept on a plate and offered
6.If the receiver is older than you, after giving Thamboola, you should also do
namaskaram to them
7.In Karnataka and Andhra , the thamboola materials
are kept on a muram(winnow) and covered
with another Muram and offered
8.In some cases the Thamboola materials are offered by
covering with our Sari and the receiver also does that.
It is definite
that Goddess would bless the person who gives and receives Thamboola.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis type of Hindu practice is also done in north but it may be bit different in terms of application.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Can we regive the turmeric and kumkum which we got from someone who is visiting us as a guest.
ReplyDeleteYes. You can circulate the same to others.
DeleteCan mother-in-law give tamboolam to her daughter-in-law?
ReplyDeleteWhy not?
DeleteAs both of them belong to the same family, it shouldn't be done. However, daughter-in-law can give tamboolam to her own mother.
DeleteYes.
DeleteHow. Many banana should kept in thamboolam???
ReplyDeleteCould you please let me know if the coconut and betel leaf should be pointing the giver or the recipient and the reason behind this...
ReplyDeleteCan daughter-in-law give tamboolam to mother-in-law as they both are staying in different places?
ReplyDeleteYes. She can.
DeleteWhat if Tambulam given by you is returned to you back? Is it good or bad?
ReplyDeleteCan we invite sumangalis and give thamboolam during puratasi month Friday ….because they say puratasi month is not good….since I am leaving the place during puratasi , I want to give thamboolam to sumangalis whim I know in this place
ReplyDeleteDefinitely its good..Purattasi is the month of perumal n navratri is happening this month how can it be not good ...respecting anyone with thamboolam is indeed a good deed irrespective of anything else
ReplyDeleteCan you give the same betel leaves, nuts, fruits, flowers, blouse pieces you received from a lady who gave you Tamboolam to other ladies who come to your house ??
ReplyDeleteIs giving Haldi and kumkum a dosa nivarthi?
ReplyDeleteI have the same question. Please someone answer: Is giving Haldi and kumkum a dosa nivarthi? Thanks!
ReplyDelete