NAMBOODIRI MEAL
A Namboodiri cannot just come and eat, whatever is available
in the kitchen. He should first take bath in a pond and clean his body. For
health also, this is a good habit.
He will sit on a wooden ‘palaka’, a flat piece of wood,
specially made like a tortoise. A plantain leaf is placed in front , crossed
with two strips of the same leaf and then another leaf placed above it. His
left hand is kept like an anchor on the left side of the leaf and then, a small
quantity of rice is served. This is laced with pure ghee. Then his wife or
someone else, will give him some water in his right hand. This is dropped at he
boundary of the leaf, with some ‘mantra’ to be pronounced. Then only he begins
to eat. After finishing the first morsel, he will be served with more rice and
dishes. In the end also, some water is to be given . This he will drink,
saying:amritha pidhanamasi’. Then he can get up and wash his hands. Thus,
eating is a ritual. Elders observe this practice, in very orthodox families.
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