The Full Moon (Pournami) Version in Hinduism

Pournami, the full moon day, is considered auspicious in the Hindus Calendar and most devotees observe fast throughout the day and pray to the presiding deity Goddess Amma or your Idol God. It is ideal to fast or take light food (vegetarian) on full moon as it is said to reduce the acidic content in our system, slows down the metabolic rates, increases endurance. This restores the body and mind balance. Praying too helps in subduing the emotions and controls the outburst of temper. Setting aside a few minutes each month during the new moon phase to focus on yours wishes and desires will help give you clarity of mind and fill your heart with promise. When it comes to setting goals or planning ahead for your future there is no better time to get started than during the new moon.

Mandi Bunga or Floral Bath ritual is famous in Malaysia particular with the Indian community. The ritual where it is perform during Full Moon (Pournami) brings good vibration as one believe it will rid bad luck or remove negative vibes. Some perform the ritual to cure sickness and to bring positive energy back spoke to few Hindu priest and the oldies around, this is one of the method where one can perform Mandi Bunga D.I.B.Y (Do It By Yourself)  :

1. Prepare 7 or 9 type of flowers (rose, jasmine, carnation, hibiscus,etc) - 7 and 9 types of flowers resemble the incarnation of the god or goddess or the 9 lord of the navagrahas. 
2. Odd numbers of kafir lime (limau purut) or lime - Kafir lime smells good and you will find yourself fresh after the ritual. 

Bring the flowers and limes to temple (mostly best perform in Amman or your Istham God/Goddess temple) and perform an archanai with your name and raasi. Bring back the flowers/limes back home. Fill up a pail with water and sprinkle with turmeric powder, then add the flowers/limes. First you need to perform a clean bath, follow with a prayers/blessing of your own and bath with the flowers/limes. 

Once done, make sure you gathered the used flowers and lime and throw it in rivers or bury it in your home garden or at the roadside. This is believe that used flower/limes are not suppose to be thrown in garbage as flowers/limes are consider as scared plants. 

Nevertheless, reading 108/1008 Amman potri/Lalitha Sahasra Namavali/Istham theivam potri during Full moon are considered very beneficial. In certain Amman temples in Malaysia, Kungumam Archanai are performed to female deities (Amman/Lakshmi/Durga) where it bring prosperity/Subakariyam to one's life especially for women. Kungumam Archanai ritual can be perform at home as well. Below are the step to perform Kungumam Archanai and this has been taught  to me by a Hindu temple priest and it is one preference whether to follow the method given :

• You need flowers/flower petals (Uthiripookal) odd numbers (1/3/5,etc) types of flowers (Hibiscus, jasmine, carnation, chrysanthemum, etc),  but make sure the flowers are fair enough for 108/1008 potri. 108 or 1008 potri = one complete potri =  one flower. 
• OR Kumkum/Vermillion powder:  Kumkum represents intellect and is a symbol of auspiciousness and happiness in the family. It also denotes "Soubhagya" (good fortune) when used by Indian women denoting that their husbands are alive.
• One kuthuvilaku (lamp) : Light symbolizes knowledge, and darkness symbolizes ignorance.  Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Hence we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth.
• Betel leave/ Vetrilai :  The betel leaf is a symbol of freshness and prosperity. According to Skanda Purana, the betel leaf was obtained by the gods during the churning of the ocean for the nectar. 

First, clean your prayer altar and decorate the Idol Goddess picture/statue flower garland. Then, arrange the flowers or kungumam in a silver plate. Place one betel leave at the center of the picture and locate the kuthuvillaku as well. Offer a small prayer for blessing before reciting the potri. At the end of each sentence with potri, take the kungumam/flowers and place it on top of the betel leave. Once you have completed the whole version of the potri, you may closed your prayer with thanking the Goddess and offer them prasatham. Therefore, the kungumam archanai is completed. Don't forget to use the kungumam everyday as it give the mantra/potri vibration to one.

In my next post, I will explain more about the Pournami version with Nageswari Amman and the common 108 Amman potri. Stay tune :)