Manjal Neerattu Vizha

Manjal Neerattu Vizha or tumeric bathing ceremony is held after the girl gets her first mensuration. Most of the ritual functions are done by men, but this one is done by women which lasts till nine days.. The first week after her mensuration she is kept secluded till her tumaric bath. She then starts a fast with dishes only with vegitables. The girl is instructed not do severel thingsin this one week like going out alone, going to pooja room, leaving leftover foods for dog and touching flowing plants. The next part of the rite of passage is the grand public functiuon where both male and female friends are invited.

The girl is dressesd with a silk saree and gold jewellry. The girl is seated on a bench with other young girl that has not reached puberty to accompony her and recieve the gifts. The womans takes turn to rub the tumeric on her face, first kumkum is placed on the idol, then the girls forehead followed with tummeric rubbed on both her cheecks and foreams. then a gold pot is waved in front her, next a grinding stone after that some food wrapped in banan leaf. Lastly kumkum is dabbed on her forhead again, this is to ward her off from eveil eyes.

The girls uncles from mother's side are suppose to give her gifts of money or jwellery while her granparents are suppose to give her, her fist saree. The fisrt saree is worn for the first time during the celebration on this day. This ceremony is a way of telling the community that there is ayoung girl who is ready to marry.