Kalandha sadham menu for Seemantham
A relative recently invited us for her daughter’s seemantham (baby shower) and even before my mother asked me to accompany her I decided to attend the function. Frankly because I was eager to taste the flavours of kalandha sadham, (mixed rice), which is one of the important aspects of the seemantham. Before elaborating about the food, let me give a brief history about seemantham.
Seemantham is a traditional ritual performed in South India for the well being of the pregnant woman and the baby in her womb. It is usually performed during the 5th,7th or 9th month of pregnancy. It is believed that the foetus in the mother’s womb can feel sounds and vibrations from the fifth month and hence mantras are chanted to give a positive vibration to the baby. Family and friends gather and wish the mother-to-be. Earlier, Seemantham was conducted before delivering every child. With changing times, it is now celebrated only before the first delivery.
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How is it celebrated?
In Tamil tradition, seemantham is usually conducted at the husband’s place. The pregnant woman wakes up in the morning and gets ready by draping her new silk saree. Close friends and relatives are invited. Things like turmeric powder, Kukum, sandalwood paste, flowers, beetle leaves, fruits, incenses sticks, camphor, rice, coconuts, kalasa vastram, sugar candy, flower garland, ghee and sugar candy are displayed on a mat. The pregnant woman is then made to sit on the mat and turmeric and sandal pastes are applied on her forehead and face. Valakappu is a part of seemantham where the mother-to-be is presented with different colours of glass bangles.
The exciting part of seemantham is the food served on the occasion. It is usually the mixed varieties (kalanda sadham) of rice.
Says caterer AN Chandramouli, “Non-brahmins serve seven varieties of mixed rice whereas brahmins opt for two varieties of mixed rice with sambhar, rasam and curd rice.”
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At my relative’s place I was lucky to taste a yummy Seemandham spread. This is what it contained: Tamarind Rice, Lemon Rice and Bisibela bhath. This apart there was poriyals (Potato fry and Kosu Malli), pickle, pineapple pachadi, chips and of course papaddam. The desert included both payasam and ice cream.
Generally you can choose from different menus:
Menu having all varieties of Kalandha Sadham | Sweet Pongal Tamarind Rice Lemon Rice Bisibela Bath Raw Mango Rice Coconut Rice Veg Pulav Curd Rice 2 Poriyals Pickle Pachadi Chips Papad |
Normal Menu Having two varieties of Kalandha Sadham | Any two of the mixed rice can be chosen from the above list Sambar Rasam 2 poriyals Aviyal or Kootu Curd Rice Pickle Chips Papad |
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The prices will range between Rs.200-300 per plate.
So, pick the right menu of your choice and have a memorable event.
What exciting food have you tasted in seemanthams? Write to us in the comments section below.
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