சங்க இலக்கியங்களில் வாழ்க்கை வட்டச் சடங்குகள்

Life Cycle Rituals in Sangam Literature

Abstract

Rituals originated from the continuous practice of our ancestors' worship-related activities since ancient times. Beyond rituals associated with deity worship, various ceremonies have been created to mark different stages of human growth, transitions—including fertility rituals—and death.

In the life shared by a man and a woman, marriage and its accompanying rituals hold a unique place. In the primitive state, the union of male and female was driven by sexual instinct; however, through the process of social evolution, this union evolved into the institutions of marriage, family, children, and lineage. Over time, specific rituals were developed to formalize these unions.

This article explains the various rituals performed by people, ranging from naming a newborn child and honoring ancestors to celebrating birth, as well as the rites performed during death and those intended for the soul's salvation.