Abyangam (oil massage) & Ganga snanam on Deepavali: |
Taking oil massage & hot water bath is special on Deepavali.
Procedure :
- Heat sesame oil with little pepper in it, in a small vessel.
- Make the person sit on the wooden stool. Keep kunkumum on the fore head.
- Now take some unheated sesame oil in your palm.
- Pray to lord Dhanvatari & apply the oil on the head. Massage well on head & face. Then take the heated oil. Pour few drops of oil in the ears & then massage the ears. Then massage the foot. Then with the heated oil massage neck, shoulders, chest, abdomen, back & legs. Thus massage whole body.
- Stay with oil for ½ an hour. Then take bath in hot water.
- Use green gram powder for washing.
Effects:
- Abyangam rejuvenates the body, gives strength, gives long life, relieves pain, tiredness, reduces vata dosha, gives good eyesight, nourishment, sleep, good skin & luster. Abyangam should be specially done on head, ears & foot.
- The holy river Ganges is said to reside in the hot water on Deepavali. So snanam in this water wards off all the sins.
Apart from this snanam improves the appetite, virility, energy, strength, & gives a long life. It relieves itching, dirt, fatigue, and sweat, drowsiness; thirst, burning sensation & sins. |
