Kalava/ Rangoli Moli

[Andal]

Namaste and Happy New Year!

I had a quick question and I can't find the correct answer. As a part of home aarti I like to wear kalava (rangoli moli) thread. Years ago I read it should be worn on the left wrist if you are an unmarried woman. Recently I read that unmarried women should tie it on the right wrist.

Does anyone know what wrist unmarried women should actually wear kalava?

Aum Hari Aum!

 

[Shuddhasattva]

Can we reconnect to the meaning of this tradition?

 

[Andal]

Of course the meaning is of importance. I ask about the wrist side because tradition is important to me. Not that it is more important than the sankalpa however. So it really doesn't matter?

Aum Hari Aum!

 

[Sumit]

Kalava is tied in right wrist for males and left wrist for females.

 

[Shuddhasattva]

Of course the meaning is of importance. I ask about the wrist side because tradition is important to me. Not that it is more important than the sankalpa however. So it really doesn't matter?

Aum Hari Aum!

I'm very sorry if my question came off as snippy or condescending, I had intended it as an invitation to speak about the meaning behind it (for you and others)>

 

[Andal]

Namaste Shuddhasattva,

I misunderstood your original post, I am very sorry as well. I think this is a great discussion to have.

For me Kalava is very special on multiple levels. First it is the representation of the purpose of the puja I am doing. If it is for sheer bhakti then it is to remind of Sri Vishnu. If it is for material benefit it reminds me to work hard and be honest. Also, I am alone here in terms of a Hindu community. I go to an ISKCON temple from time to time and I would even consider it my temple but honestly I don't agree with their doctrine and I always feel like an outsider. The Kalava becomes a connection for me to tradition and a community. Even if I don't have it in the material world, it connects me to a spiritual community.

Finally, this may sound superstitious but the Kalava for me represents protection. I feel protected and loved when wearing it. Part of this is I grew up Buddhist and we had a similar thread wearing tradition. Another part of this was I was in a car wreck in 2011 that should have killed me. I was wearing the Kalava and walked away only with minor burns and a bruised sternum. So it's stuck with me as a protection type thing.

In one sense it is a direct connection, a tie, binding me to Sri Vishnu.

That's what it means to me. What does it mean to you?

Aum Hari Aum!

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Kalava is tied in right wrist for males and left wrist for females.

This is my view also.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

What does it mean to you?

I have a whole bunch of them on my right wrist as I write. From many Hindu Temples. It is a sign of a completed sankalpa. A reminder of God. One by one they will fall off. Then others will be put on. I love this tradition.

 

[Jainarayan]

I rely too much on Wiki, I know... Kalava - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I have seen people wearing the kalava, but I have never seen the priests tie it on someone.

 

[Sumit]

I have seen people wearing the kalava, but I have never seen the priests tie it on someone.

Whenever we call any priest for religious rituals and Yajnas at home, they tie Kalva on ever member present there.

 

[Jainarayan]

OK, that makes more sense. I was referring to public pujas. For some pujas the attendance would be so high it would take the priests days to go to everyone.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

OK, that makes more sense. I was referring to public pujas. For some pujas the attendance would be so high it would take the priests days to go to everyone.

They figure out ways to create an efficient system to get every one. One temple I am very familiar with in India is Daksinaswar. 1000s and 1000s go there every day and every one brings their own offerings to Mother Kali, Shiva and Krishna-Radha. Since there are 12 Siva Lingams they can place are 4 or more priests just to tie the Kalava. It all works at a very fast pace.