Pushpaka Brahmin
Encyclopedia
Pushpaka Brahmins or simply Pushpakas (Malayalam:പുഷ്പകര്) are a class of Brahmin
s in Kerala
. They carry out the various activities of the temple
, though not actual priestly activities. Pushpakas lived on the income of the temple and were under its care. There are four major subcastes with in Pushpakas: Unni
s, Nambeesan
s, Brahmani-Daivampati and Pilappallis.
texts, shlokas, mantras etc. and work as teachers in Pathasalas associated with temples. They also do priestly duties and ceremonies for the lower castes on behalf of the Namboothiri priest. They are also performers of temple art forms such as Theeyaattam
and Brahmanippaattu
s and Kshatriya
s. They are commonly known as Arddhabrahmanar i.e. Semi-Brahmin
s. There are similar Brahmin communities found all over India
: like Niyogi
Brahmins of Andhra Pradesh
, Chithpaavan
Brahmins of Maharashtra
, Bhumihar
s of Bihar
, Mohyal
of Punjab
or Tyagis of West Uttar Pradesh
. These are Brahmin communities which have the same status of Ambalavasis in Kerala.
in common. However, there are various subcastes and accordingly there are different surnames in use. The most common surnames are Unni
, Nambeesan
(also spelt as Nambissan or Nambisan). There exists surnames like Nambi and Nambidi
also.
The surname Nambeesan is used by the Pushpakas in the north and central Kerala. Surname Unni
is used in central and southern Kerala.certain pushpaka of thrippokkudam, vaikom of kottayam are eminent in different type of poojas .
These art forms grew in the atmosphere of temples which have all long been centres of great cultural activity.
The Pushpaka Brahmins lived within the temple premises managing the various affairs (other than the ceremonies in Sree Kovil) of the temple. Their work was socially very respectable.
and adhere to the 'Gayatri
' mantra. The pushpaka brahmins belong to various Gotra
s and each gotara has associated pravaras. The gotras are Vasishta, Gautama, Atreya
, Kashyapa, Bharadvaja, Viswamitra
and Agastya
. Each gotra has distinct pravaras.
Marriages within the gotra ("swagotra vivaha") are banned under the rule of exogamy
in the traditional matrimonial system. People within the gotra are regarded as kin
and marrying such a person would be thought of as incest
. Since it is believed that gotra membership passed from father to children, marriages were permitted between cross-cousins (children of brother and sister). Thus, a man is allowed to marry his maternal uncle's daughter or his paternal aunt's daughter but is not allowed to marry his father's brother's daughter, a parallel cousin
, who is treated as a sister. This dubious explanation of gotra based marriages has long been a source of discontentment and criticism.
.
is a ritual connected with third month of pregnancy. If it is the first pregnancy, it can be performed in the forth month also. The pregnant woman consumes one head of barley and two beads of black grain, along with a little curd. This is accompanied by religious chanting. (Among Nayar
s , the ceremony is known as 'Pulikudi' – a customary rite in which women, during their first pregnancy, drink the juice of sour fruits)
’ and female children are given the surname 'De
'. Then the mother takes the child by calling him (her) without surname. (Among the Nayars and Ezhavas this ritual is done on the 28th day.)
are fed to the infant. This is an important ritual among all sections of Hindu
s.
"Chorūnu" literally means "rice-eating" in the South Indian language of Malayalam.
or (Kaathukuthu)is the piercing the ears. This is done with a particular thorn. Butter is applied to the wound. It is applicable to both male and female children. (In the modern age, this is done only for female children.)
(Ezhuthiniruthu)is done either when the child attains three or five years. On the tongue of the child the letters "Hari Sri Ganapataye Namah Avignamastu "and all the alphabets are written with a piece of gold. The child is made to write the same letters from "Hari Sri" onwards with its index finger on raw rice in a bell metal vessel and the child is made to utter each word when it is written. Either the father of the child or an eminent teacher officiates at this ritual.
is the ceremony of wearing the sacred thread called Yajnopaveetam. When the child attains eight years, the wearing of the sacred thread “Yajñopaveetam”, is ceremoniously done. This is only in the case of the boys. It is taking the child to the teacher for initiation of formal education. Along the sacred thread, the hide of the antelope called Krishnajinam is also worn by the boy. The upanayanam ceremony is followed by Brahmopadesham – teaching Gayatri
mantra to the boy.
s in‘Gurukulam’ or ‘Pāṭhaśāla’. In the beginning of each academic period there is a ceremony called Upakarmam and at the end of each academic period there is another ceremony called Upasarjanam.
Rithusuddhi is a ceremony associated with a girl’s first mensturation.
(Snanam) is the ceremony associated with the end of formal education of Vedas in ‘Gurukulam’ or ‘Pāṭhaśāla’. This ceremony marks the end of student hood. This also marks the end of Brahmacharyaasrama of life.
Nishekam
– First sexual intercourse
. In the night of 4th day after marriage.
Sanchayanam is function performed in the 4th day, after funeral.
Pindam is function performed in the 11th day after funeral. It is followed by Sapindi Sapindi.
Bali and Sraaddham is done in every year. These are known as Seshakriya.
One of the most famous person in Pushpaka Unni caste is Mr. R.Sankaran Unni, who is popularly known as R.S.Unni, who had been the Speaker of Kerala Legislative assembly, Deputy Speaker,and Minister of Panchayath and Local Bodies in Kerala. He was born at Oachira in Kollam district.His family name is Ambilethu Madom. He had been actively involved in politics and was the leader of Revolutionary Socialist Party{ RSP}
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. They carry out the various activities of the temple
Hindu temple
A Mandir, Devalayam, Devasthanam, or a Hindu temple is a place of worship for followers of Hinduism...
, though not actual priestly activities. Pushpakas lived on the income of the temple and were under its care. There are four major subcastes with in Pushpakas: Unni
Unni
Unni is used as a first name in and Kerala, India. In Malayalam language, it is also used as an adjective meaning an infant boy. Thus, Unnikrishnan means Lord Krishna in the infant form and Unniyesu means Yesu in the infant form...
s, Nambeesan
Nambeesan
Nambeesan is a sub-caste of Ambalavasi. They belong to the Viswamitra Gotram.They wear the sacred thread "Yajñopaveetam" and adhere to the Maha 'Gayatri mantra'....
s, Brahmani-Daivampati and Pilappallis.
Introduction
Pushpakas or Nambissan perform various temple related activities like teaching of sacred texts, garlend making and lamp works. They were not allowed to take priesthood in the main shrine of the temple. Even though they learn SanskritSanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
texts, shlokas, mantras etc. and work as teachers in Pathasalas associated with temples. They also do priestly duties and ceremonies for the lower castes on behalf of the Namboothiri priest. They are also performers of temple art forms such as Theeyaattam
Theeyaattam
Theeyaattam also known as Theeyaattu is a traditional dance form performed by the peoples of Theeyaattunni and Thiyaadi Nambiar,a sub-caste of Ambalavasi community in Kerala of southwestern India....
and Brahmanippaattu
Classification
This class is generally considered as an intermediate class between Brahmins and Kshatriyas. The pushpakas are believed to possess the attributes of both BrahminBrahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s and Kshatriya
Kshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
s. They are commonly known as Arddhabrahmanar i.e. Semi-Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s. There are similar Brahmin communities found all over India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
: like Niyogi
Niyogi
Niyogis are a sect of Hindu Brahmins who gave up priestly occupations and are predominantly Telugu language speakers, from Andhra Pradesh, India.-Theories of origin:...
Brahmins of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, Chithpaavan
Chitpavan
The Chitpavan or Chitpawan, also known as Konkanastha Brahmins , are a Smarta Brahmin community of Konkan, the coastal region of western Maharashtra in India....
Brahmins of Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, Bhumihar
Bhumihar
Bhumihar or Babhan or Bhuin-har is a Brahmin Hindu community mainly found in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh.- Varna status :...
s of Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
, Mohyal
Mohyal
Mohyal is the name of an endogamous ethnic group that originates from the Gandhara region and consists of seven Brahmin lineages of that area that left the usual priestly occupation of Brahmins long ago to serve as soldiers and in government services.The...
of Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
or Tyagis of West Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
. These are Brahmin communities which have the same status of Ambalavasis in Kerala.
Surname Variations
Pushpaka brahmins use the surname SharmaSharma
Sharma Hindi शर्मा, Urdu شرمہ, ) is a name used in the Indian subcontinent mostly in Northern India as a surname or given name. As a noun in Sanskrit, Sharma has various positive connotations, such as "bliss", "happiness", "shelter", "laid back" and "protection."Sharma is a surname of brahmin...
in common. However, there are various subcastes and accordingly there are different surnames in use. The most common surnames are Unni
Unni
Unni is used as a first name in and Kerala, India. In Malayalam language, it is also used as an adjective meaning an infant boy. Thus, Unnikrishnan means Lord Krishna in the infant form and Unniyesu means Yesu in the infant form...
, Nambeesan
Nambeesan
Nambeesan is a sub-caste of Ambalavasi. They belong to the Viswamitra Gotram.They wear the sacred thread "Yajñopaveetam" and adhere to the Maha 'Gayatri mantra'....
(also spelt as Nambissan or Nambisan). There exists surnames like Nambi and Nambidi
Nambidi
Nambidi is a caste from Kerala, which is considered half Brahmin and half Kshatriya. Nambidi is believed to be an artificial caste which came in to existence when a section of the Nambuthiris got degraded or a section of the Nairs got upgraded in the caste system.Nambidis are divided in to two: the...
also.
The surname Nambeesan is used by the Pushpakas in the north and central Kerala. Surname Unni
Unni
Unni is used as a first name in and Kerala, India. In Malayalam language, it is also used as an adjective meaning an infant boy. Thus, Unnikrishnan means Lord Krishna in the infant form and Unniyesu means Yesu in the infant form...
is used in central and southern Kerala.certain pushpaka of thrippokkudam, vaikom of kottayam are eminent in different type of poojas .
Temple services
Pushpaka Brahmins were temple employees but they were not aristocratic like the Nampoothiris. In the past they resided within the temples in their quarters and were sustained by the temple. They were simple people who lived at the benevolence of the temple. The major temple services of Pushpakas are:- Teaching of non-VedicVedicVedic may refer to:* the Vedas, the oldest preserved Indic texts** Vedic Sanskrit, the language of these texts** Vedic period, during which these texts were produced** Vedic pantheon of gods mentioned in Vedas/vedic period...
scriptures such as AyurvedaAyurvedaAyurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
(medicine), SanskritSanskritSanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
, Nyaaya (logic), and sacred texts such as MahabharataMahabharataThe Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
m, RamayanaRamayanaThe Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
m in Pathasalas associated with templesHindu templeA Mandir, Devalayam, Devasthanam, or a Hindu temple is a place of worship for followers of Hinduism...
and their own houses known as Mathas - Making flower-garlands for decorating the vigraha and the templeHindu templeA Mandir, Devalayam, Devasthanam, or a Hindu temple is a place of worship for followers of Hinduism...
- Cleaning the inner-temple
- Lighting of oil lamps in the tample
- Holding the traditional Hindu-lamps in various temple ceremonies
- Distribution of sacred theertham, chandanam, prasadam etc. to the devotees
- Priestly duties to lower castes
Art forms
The contribution of Ambalavasis of Kerala to the cultural heritage of India in the fields of art is substantial in everysense. They have through the centuries developed several art forms of a religious or quasi-religious character. The major art forms developed and maintained by Pushpakas are:- Tīyāttu
- BrahmanippattuBrahmanippattuBrahmanippattu is a type of domestic devotional offering performed usually in connection with marriages. Women of Pushpaka Brahmin caste Hindus called Brahmanis or Pushpinis alone are entitled to do it....
These art forms grew in the atmosphere of temples which have all long been centres of great cultural activity.
Origin
As per the famous Parasurama myth, the warrior sage Bhargava Rama (Parasurama) is said to have brought a group of Brahmins to Kerala of which 64 families were allowed to conduct the priestly duties in the temples. They became the Namboothiris. The remaining families of Brahmins became their assistants and were not allowed inside the Sree Kovil or main shrine of the temple. Since they resided in the premises of temple, like many other castes in kerala , they were also clubbed under the community Ambalavasis, meaning Temple-inmates.The Pushpaka Brahmins lived within the temple premises managing the various affairs (other than the ceremonies in Sree Kovil) of the temple. Their work was socially very respectable.
Gotra and Pravaras
Pushpaka brahmins wear YajñopavītamUpanayanam
Upanayana is the initiation ritual by which initiates are invested with a sacred thread, to symbolize the transference of spiritual knowledge .- Significance of the sacred thread :...
and adhere to the 'Gayatri
Gayatri
Gayatri is the feminine form of , a Sanskrit word for a song or a hymn. Gayatri is a consort of Brahma and the goddess of learning. Brahma married her when there was a need for a companion during a yajna. Brahma had to start the yajna along with his wife...
' mantra. The pushpaka brahmins belong to various Gotra
Gotra
In the Hindu society, the term Gotra broadly refers to people who are descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. Panini defines gotra for grammatical purposes as apatyam pautraprabhrti gotram , which means "the word gotra denotes the progeny beginning with the son's son"...
s and each gotara has associated pravaras. The gotras are Vasishta, Gautama, Atreya
Atri
This article is about the sage named Attri. See also the gotra named Atri. For the Italian city, see Atri, AbruzzoIn Hinduism, Attri or Atri is a legendary bard and scholar and was one of 9 Prajapatis, and a son of Brahma, said to be ancestor of some Brahmin, Prajapatis, kshatriya and Vaishya...
, Kashyapa, Bharadvaja, Viswamitra
Viswamitra
Brahmarshi Vishvamitra is one of the most venerated rishis or sages of ancient times in India. He is also credited as the author of most of Mandala 3 of the Rigveda, including the Gayatri Mantra. The Puranas mention that only 24 rishis since antiquity have understood the whole meaning of, and...
and Agastya
Agastya
Agastya was a Tamil/Vedic Siddhar or sage. Agastya and his clan are also generally credited with uncovering many mantras of the Rig Veda, the earliest and most revered Hindu scripture, in the sense of first having the mantras revealed in his mind by the Supreme Brahman...
. Each gotra has distinct pravaras.
Marriages within the gotra ("swagotra vivaha") are banned under the rule of exogamy
Exogamy
Exogamy is a social arrangement where marriage is allowed only outside of a social group. The social groups define the scope and extent of exogamy, and the rules and enforcement mechanisms that ensure its continuity. In social studies, exogamy is viewed as a combination of two related aspects:...
in the traditional matrimonial system. People within the gotra are regarded as kin
Kin
-Places:* Kin, Okinawa, a town in Okinawa, Japan* Kin, Pakistan, a village along the Indus in Pakistan* Kin, Mogok, a village in Mogok Township, Burma * Kin, Ye, a village in Ye Township, Burma...
and marrying such a person would be thought of as incest
Incest
Incest is sexual intercourse between close relatives that is usually illegal in the jurisdiction where it takes place and/or is conventionally considered a taboo. The term may apply to sexual activities between: individuals of close "blood relationship"; members of the same household; step...
. Since it is believed that gotra membership passed from father to children, marriages were permitted between cross-cousins (children of brother and sister). Thus, a man is allowed to marry his maternal uncle's daughter or his paternal aunt's daughter but is not allowed to marry his father's brother's daughter, a parallel cousin
Parallel cousin
In discussing consanguineal kinship in anthropology, a parallel cousin is a cousin from a parent's same sex sibling, while a cross cousin is from a parent's opposite-sexed sibling...
, who is treated as a sister. This dubious explanation of gotra based marriages has long been a source of discontentment and criticism.
Customs
Most of the Pushpaka Brahmins used to follow complex rituals in connection with major events in their lives, such as pregnancy, childbirth, education, marriage, and death. The majaor Samskarams are illustrated below:Garbhadhanam
Garbhadhanam (literally, gifting the womb), is the act of conception or insemination. There are a number of rites performed before conception. The first sexual intercourse is known as NishekamNishekam
Nishekam is the ritual associated with first sexual intercourse among Hindus. First intercourse is allowed only in the night of 4th day after Vivaham .-Rituals:The veracity of this ritual is yet to be determined...
.
Pumsavanam
PumsavanamPumsavanam
Pumsavana is the second of the 16 saṃskāras practiced by the Hindus. It is performed in the third or fourth month of pregnancy. The pregnant women consume one bead of barley and two beads of black grain along with a little curd accompanied by religious chanting. The relatives offer lots of...
is a ritual connected with third month of pregnancy. If it is the first pregnancy, it can be performed in the forth month also. The pregnant woman consumes one head of barley and two beads of black grain, along with a little curd. This is accompanied by religious chanting. (Among Nayar
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
s , the ceremony is known as 'Pulikudi' – a customary rite in which women, during their first pregnancy, drink the juice of sour fruits)
Seemantham
Seemantam sacrament is performed in the fourth month of a woman's first pregnancy. Seemantam is conducted for the protection of the mother at the critical period of gestation. If the child is still-born, this has to be repeated during the next pregnancy.Jaathakarmam
Jātakarmam is meant for the development of the intellect of the child. When a male child is born, the ritual connected with birth is performed immediately (within 90 Naazhika). A small portion of a mixture of gold, ghee and honey is given to the new born infant.Naamakaranam
Nāmakaranam (Perideel) ceremony is performed to name the child. It is performed on the12th day after birth. The father calls the child's name in its right ear three times. At this time, male children are given the surname ‘SharmaSharma
Sharma Hindi शर्मा, Urdu شرمہ, ) is a name used in the Indian subcontinent mostly in Northern India as a surname or given name. As a noun in Sanskrit, Sharma has various positive connotations, such as "bliss", "happiness", "shelter", "laid back" and "protection."Sharma is a surname of brahmin...
’ and female children are given the surname 'De
De (surname)
De is a surname shared by several notable people:* Shobhaa De , Indian journalist, magazine publisher, columnist, writer and former model* Deepankar De , Bengali actor...
'. Then the mother takes the child by calling him (her) without surname. (Among the Nayars and Ezhavas this ritual is done on the 28th day.)
Nishkramanam
Nishkramanam (Vathilpurappadu)is when the child is first taken out of its home and into the open. The child is usually taken out only in the 4th month.Annapraasanam
Annaprāsam (Chorūnu)ritual, which takes place when a child is six months old, is the first time the child eats solid food. A few grains of rice mixed with gheeGhee
Ghee is a class of clarified butter that originated in South Asia and is commonly used in South Asian cuisine....
are fed to the infant. This is an important ritual among all sections of Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s.
"Chorūnu" literally means "rice-eating" in the South Indian language of Malayalam.
Choodakaranam
Choodakaranam (Choulam or mundana) (tonsure) is the ceremony of cutting child's hair for first time. In the child's third or fifth year, the head is shaved, leaving behind a small tuft of hair known as a 'Kutuma'. (Nowadays this ritual is not practised.)Karnavedham
KarnavedhamKarnavedham
The Karnavedham, which means "Piercing the earlobes" in Sanskrit is a ritual practised in Hinduism. Traditionally, the piercing is done with a particular thorn. Butter is applied to the wound. Wearing ear studs was one of the external symbols of Hinduism for both men and women. However, in the...
or (Kaathukuthu)is the piercing the ears. This is done with a particular thorn. Butter is applied to the wound. It is applicable to both male and female children. (In the modern age, this is done only for female children.)
Vidyaarambham
VidyārambhamVidyarambham
Vidyarambham is a Hindu tradition where children between two and three years old are formally initiated into the characters of the syllabary....
(Ezhuthiniruthu)is done either when the child attains three or five years. On the tongue of the child the letters "Hari Sri Ganapataye Namah Avignamastu "and all the alphabets are written with a piece of gold. The child is made to write the same letters from "Hari Sri" onwards with its index finger on raw rice in a bell metal vessel and the child is made to utter each word when it is written. Either the father of the child or an eminent teacher officiates at this ritual.
Upanayanam
UpanayanamUpanayanam
Upanayana is the initiation ritual by which initiates are invested with a sacred thread, to symbolize the transference of spiritual knowledge .- Significance of the sacred thread :...
is the ceremony of wearing the sacred thread called Yajnopaveetam. When the child attains eight years, the wearing of the sacred thread “Yajñopaveetam”, is ceremoniously done. This is only in the case of the boys. It is taking the child to the teacher for initiation of formal education. Along the sacred thread, the hide of the antelope called Krishnajinam is also worn by the boy. The upanayanam ceremony is followed by Brahmopadesham – teaching Gayatri
Gayatri
Gayatri is the feminine form of , a Sanskrit word for a song or a hymn. Gayatri is a consort of Brahma and the goddess of learning. Brahma married her when there was a need for a companion during a yajna. Brahma had to start the yajna along with his wife...
mantra to the boy.
Praishartham
Praishartham (Vedarambham) – Learning of Vedas and UpanishadUpanishad
The Upanishads are philosophical texts considered to be an early source of Hindu religion. More than 200 are known, of which the first dozen or so, the oldest and most important, are variously referred to as the principal, main or old Upanishads...
s in‘Gurukulam’ or ‘Pāṭhaśāla’. In the beginning of each academic period there is a ceremony called Upakarmam and at the end of each academic period there is another ceremony called Upasarjanam.
Kesantham and Rithusuddhi
Kesantam is the first shave. It is ceremoniously performed for a boy at his age of 16.Rithusuddhi is a ceremony associated with a girl’s first mensturation.
Samavarthanam
SamāvartanamSamavartanam
The Samavartana , also known as ', is a Hindu sacramental ritual that was performed at the close of the Brahmacharya period and marked the end termination of the student life. It signifies a person's entry into grihastashrama....
(Snanam) is the ceremony associated with the end of formal education of Vedas in ‘Gurukulam’ or ‘Pāṭhaśāla’. This ceremony marks the end of student hood. This also marks the end of Brahmacharyaasrama of life.
Vivaham
Vivaham (Marriage)Nishekam
Nishekam
Nishekam is the ritual associated with first sexual intercourse among Hindus. First intercourse is allowed only in the night of 4th day after Vivaham .-Rituals:The veracity of this ritual is yet to be determined...
– First sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
. In the night of 4th day after marriage.
Anthyeshti
Anthyeshti – These are the rituals associated with Funeral.Sanchayanam is function performed in the 4th day, after funeral.
Pindam is function performed in the 11th day after funeral. It is followed by Sapindi Sapindi.
Bali and Sraaddham is done in every year. These are known as Seshakriya.
Prominent Pushpakas
- Kottarathil SankunniKottarathil SankunniKottarathil Sankunni is a well known author of Malayalam literature, was born on 23 March 1855 in Kottayam, Travancore. He made huge contributions in both poetry and prose. He died on 22 July 1937. He started compiling the legends of Kerala in 1909 and completed the work in eight volumes over a...
– Legendary Malayalam folklore writer - Dr. S. Vasudev – late Eminent Professor/Scientist
- Kalamandalam Neelakantan NambisanKalamandalam Neelakantan NambisanKalamandalam Neelakantan Nambisan was a trend-setter Kathakali musician who played a crucial role in remoulding the aesthetics of singing for the classical dance-drama of Kerala, south India...
– late KathakaliKathakaliKathakali is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion...
musician - Dr. M. LeelavathyM. LeelavathyM. Leelavathy is a Malayalam writer, literary critic, and educationist. She taught at various colleges in Kerala before retiring as Principal from Government Brennen College, Thalassery. During her long literary career, she won several awards including Kendra Sahithya Academy Award and Kerala...
– Malayalam literary critic - HariharanHariharan (director)Hariharan is a Malayali film director. His movies mainly revolved around the cultural and relational aspects of a typical Kerala society. His notable works include Pazhassi Raja, Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, Sargam, Parinayam, Amrutham Gamaya and Nakhakshathangal, which won him national...
– Malayalam filmmaker - Kalamandalam Narayanan Nambisan – Maddalam artist
- Divya UnniDivya UnniDivya Unni is an Indian actress of Malayalam and Tamil films. She appeared in films like Pranayavarnangal and Bharathan's last movie Churam, in which she acted alongside Manoj K. Jayan. She migrated to the US after her marriage.-Dance career:...
– Film actress - Remya Nambeesan – Actress
- Dr. Pradeep Jeothi – Technocrat
- Meera NandanMeera Nandan- Career :She started her career with the popular Musical reality show Idea Star Singer on Asianet Television by Co - hosting the show with Ranjini Hariadas in the year 2007...
– Film actress - Vaikkath Pachu MoothathuVaikkath Pachu MoothathuVaikathu Paramesvara Sivadvija, popularly known as Vaikath Pachu Moothathu, was a versatile scholar of erstwhile princely state of Travancore...
See also
- BrahminBrahminBrahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
- Sree Pushpaka Seva SanghamSree Pushpaka Seva SanghamSree Pushpaka Seva Sangham is a society established in 1968 for the socio-economic development of Pushpaka Brahmins. It is registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration act of 12/1955....
– A society established in 1968 for the socio-economic development of Pushpaka Brahmins - PushpakadhwaniPushpakadhwaniPushpadhwani is a monthly magazine of Sree Pushpaka Seva Sangham, published from Trivandrum since 1991. The Managing Editor is C.N. P Nambi and the Chief Editor is Dr. Pradeep Jeothi. To read Pushpakadhwani online, visit the official web site of Sree Pushpaka Seva Sangham....
– monthly publication of Sree Pushpaka Seva Sangham
One of the most famous person in Pushpaka Unni caste is Mr. R.Sankaran Unni, who is popularly known as R.S.Unni, who had been the Speaker of Kerala Legislative assembly, Deputy Speaker,and Minister of Panchayath and Local Bodies in Kerala. He was born at Oachira in Kollam district.His family name is Ambilethu Madom. He had been actively involved in politics and was the leader of Revolutionary Socialist Party{ RSP}