Puberty Tradition In South India

Do you know about the puberty tradition that is followed in India ?? Yes we have a tradition which we even follow now when a girl reaches her puberty!! Here I’m talking about the tradition that has been followed in the South India where I belong to. Let me tell about the tradition followed when a girl reaches puberty. Almost the same custom is followed even now but it slightly vary as per the community

When a girl reaches puberty she is treated like a princess!! When I reached my puberty I was at my grandmother’s place. The first thing done is whatever the time it is the girl is supposed to take a bath. Then she is made to sit in a separate room where only ladies are allowed not even my cousin brothers and my brother are allowed lol :)) Then all the relatives are informed and they visit the girl with sweets and gifts the following days. The girl is kept in a separate room like this for 15 days.The girl is given nutritious food on those days. Everyday the girl is dressed like an angel. My grandmother used to give me raw egg with gingelly oil at 4.00am in the morning on those days (yuks) I feel like throwing away if I think of that. My parents grandparents are all vegetarians but on those 15 days I was forced to have raw egg as it is supposed to be good for health (That is what my grandmother used to say:p).

Then on the 16Th day all friends and relatives are invited and some rituals are performed by the priest . The girl is decorated like a bride on that day with new sari,jewelleries and made to sit in front of relatives and friends and the priest does some pooja(prayers) and then the girl is given a bath with neem leaves and turmeric powder mixed in the water and then she is again made to wear new sari and made to sit in front of relatives and friends and the elders bless the girl and give gifts.Then with a great lunch the function comes to an end .

But these days girls refuse to inform about their puberty to friends and relatives and the rituals are performed on the 7th day itself only with some very close relatives or in some cases no one is informed or invited and the priest does the rituals at home in front of family members only. But some are still following the tradition and a big ceremony is held. I think this custom must have originated long before when child marriages prevailed and by informing relatives and friends and by holding a big ceremony all are informed that the girl is now ready for marriage. That must have continued and now have become a tradition. What is the tradition followed in your country or place my friends? What all do you do when a girl reaches puberty? Let me know in the form of comments :)