Our Virtual Ashram

[Jainarayan]

I put this here because it’s not really a “serious religion” question. I’m not sure if I asked this before, since I can’t remember the answer.

1. Does a dhoti/veshti have to have a border? I have a length of cloth in plain cream color, unstitched cotton. I got it a long time ago in a fabric store. I did get it thinking it might make a nice dhoti, which it does. Being plain, can I wear it at temple?
2. I ordered a couple of angavastrams on-line in white, blue and green. I know that certain colors of dhoti/veshti are reserved for priests, sannyasins, etc. but what about the angavastrams? Can I wear the blue and green? My dhotis are white and cream that I’d wear these with. Or is any of this even important?

 

[Vinayaka]

I put this here because it’s not really a “serious religion” question. I’m not sure if I asked this before, since I can’t remember the answer.

1. Does a dhoti/veshti have to have a border? I have a length of cloth in plain cream color, unstitched cotton. I got it a long time ago in a fabric store. I did get it thinking it might make a nice dhoti, which it does. Being plain, can I wear it at temple?
2. I ordered a couple of angavastrams on-line in white, blue and green. I know that certain colors of dhoti/veshti are reserved for priests, sannyasins, etc. but what about the angavastrams? Can I wear the blue and green? My dhotis are white and cream that I’d wear these with. Or is any of this even important?

View attachment 20903 View attachment 20902

Yes you can. In fact you can buy white ones with white stripes on them, made just like the ones with the thin coloured stripes, except that stitching is in white.

 

[Jainarayan]

Yes you can. In fact you can buy white ones with white stripes on them, made just like the ones with the thin coloured stripes, except that stitching is in white.

Great, thanks. The fabric of the dhoti really is nice. It’s kind of a broadcloth. I think it was a few $$

I suppose the colored angavastrams are ok too. I like coordinating. It wasn’t until last summer I learned that an angavastram is required. The manager came running in with one for me to wear. I thought that was nice of him. A lot of men don’t wear one. My friend said they should.

 

[Vinayaka]

Great, thanks. The fabric of the dhoti really is nice. It’s kind of a broadcloth. I think it was a few $$

I suppose the colored angavastrams are ok too. I like coordinating. It wasn’t until last summer I learned that an angavastram is required. The manager came running in with one for me to wear. I thought that was nice of him. A lot of men don’t wear one. My friend said they should.

I never wear angavastram. Just kurta, or regular western shirt. The length (4m) for dhoti/veshti is what's important. I only wear double. On-line, you can order through Amazon, or through Krishna store. I got my last ones through Amazon, on some 3 for a deal. Not like western clothes cause one size fits all. We're driving to Toronto next fall so I can imagine getting a couple better quality ones. Boss wants to hit the sari stores. I probably won't have enough cash for gas to get home after that.

 

[Jainarayan]

I never wear angavastram. Just kurta, or regular western shirt.

Really? See, that’s what I always did, just a shirt and the dhoti. I thought the shirt sufficed as the upper garment. Until I got busted.

I’d like to get a kurta. There are some really nice ones. Some men (at temple) wear the angavastram around the waist under or over the shirt, or over the shoulders. I wear it over my shoulders like a stole.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Boss wants to hit the sari stores. I probably won't have enough cash for gas to get home after that.

Time enough. Save. Dhotis are costly here too. My wife has a huge collection of cheaper (day-to-day wear) but nice saris (she was a hoarder) but no one to wear them (neither my daughter nor my daughter-in-law). She now manages with simple gowns or wraps herself in a 'odhani' (dupatta). She feels stuffed up in sarees. Very sensitive to heat. I have been asking her to donate her collection.

Another matter: My daughter got a good raise, thanks to salary revisions. I think, my DIL also will get the same. But more important is the news from my son today after a company meeting in Mumbai. Will he get a promotion? Whatever Gods/Goddesses decide, Ishwareccha.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Oh, no. It is worse. My son is under the impression that he is a good singer. He is after a music video featuring himself. Now there are charlatans in Mumbai who will agree to create a video at the singer's cost. I hope he is wise enough not to fall in clutches of such people. Firstly, his voice and singing have problems. He has not trained seriously. Secondly he is 45. He does not have the pull of youth which he had at one time. He should concentrate on his professional career. I hope he realizes this before it is too late.

 

[Jainarayan]

Boss wants to hit the sari stores. I probably won't have enough cash for gas to get home after that.

Dhotis are costly here too. My wife has a huge collection of cheaper (day-to-day wear) but nice saris (she was a hoarder)

One can never have too many saris, dhotis or shirts. I'm amazed at the combinations of colors and patterns of saris. Dhotis, not so much. I see the same colors and patterns on almost everyone. I should have ordered one or two more from where I ordered the angavastrams (rssonline). I went through my closet ruthlessly and culled out all the older shirts that just didn't make the grade anymore. I replaced them with probably more new ones than I had old ones.

 

[Jainarayan]

Ishwareccha

I take that to mean "God willing" or something to that effect?

 

[Aupmanyav]

Yeah, whatever Gods decide. Prapatti. Surrender.
Note: North Indians may say dhotis for sarees (like I did above), because the city-dwellers hardly wear dhotis now.

 

[Frater Sisyphus]

Namaste,

In my reading of the Shvetashvatara Upanishad yesterday/today, I am feeling quite overwhelmed. I've been feeling quite taken back personally by the love and the profoundness of Brahman - and Shiva in particular.


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[Jainarayan]

because the city-dwellers hardly wear dhotis now.

That's a shame. they are quite comfortable. Admittedly, I've worn it to temple only a few times, but each time I've gotten compliments from the priests and other devotees whom I didn't even know. I wore one last night for my own puja. It was the first time I wore one at home. I must say, that for some odd reason, I felt more... Hindu. It was the plain cream colored one, and the one and only angavastram I have. I do the Vrindavan/Gokul style of wrap.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Sure, they are so comfortable. It is a shame not to wear them at home instead of pyjamas.

 

[Vinayaka]

Here in Canuckistan, it's generally too chilly around the house to wear veshti or lungi all the time. I do always wear for sadhana though, although I use the older ones, and a t-shirt. It's all about comfort. Being a practical tightwad, I do like to wear things out, so if new ones get stained or somewhat worn, the new ones are switched off to 'at home only'. Eventually they get converted to rags. On pilgrimage I'll take 5 or 6 of the nicer ones.

 

[Jainarayan]

Well, I got 2 really nice dhotis today. The only problem is they are 9x5, which is too long to wrap Vrindavan style. My others are 4-5 yds. I didn’t realize it.

I haven’t learned to do the southern wrap style properly, though it looks easy. I wrapped it too tight, I think. I wrapped around twice. I can’t sit on the floor anyway.

I’m such a dork.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Is 9x5 a men's dhoti? Normally it is the Maharashtrian women's dhoti. Vinayaka may clarify and probably link to a 'dhoti-wearing' video. If I had that, I would probably cut it to the regular size and use the other portion for something else.

 

[Jainarayan]

If I had that, I would probably cut it to the regular size and use the other portion for something else.

Hehe, I did that with one of my first because I learned it’s (was? ) a 9*5. Wearing it single thickness now makes it almost see through. I make sure I wear heavy white boxer briefs. Double thickness is still enough to go around twice and pleat slightly. Or go around once and make thicker pleats. It’s weird trying to explain it.

The videos I see are really crappy. That is, they do a sloppy job of wrapping. I get it nicely draped and pleated (right side), but I seem to pull it too tight that if I could sit on the floor (can’t because of my back and hip), it’s too tight.

Again, it’s weird trying to explain.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Here we don't worry if it is see-through. Silk dhoties (of very pleasing saffron colour) are not.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Singing a song (my son).

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=161551767848072

 

[Jainarayan]

Well, I got it all figured out... finally!

The two 9*5s had to be cut, no doubt. One was close to 7 yards, one was over 7 yards. The others I have are 4 yards. They can be tied either Vrindavan style or wrap-around, which I finally did properly. I wore it for a while around the house, and it was really comfortable.

But the formerly 9*5s are way too sheer to wear single layer for Vrindavan style. They’re almost like gauze. When they’re folded in half and wrapped around they’re perfect.

So yeah, I cut almost 3 yards of material. The remainders make full sized angavastrams. Unless someone is of substantial girth, I don’t know what you’d do with 7 yards of material.