PuNdra is an abbreviated form of the word Urdhva PuNdra means the wearing on the forehead the symbolic mark in the shape of the Lord’s Lotus Feet with white clay. The best ornament for the body is Thiruman Kappu. This should be applied with great humility, thanking the achAryA and Sriman NArAyanA for their mercy. One should be really proud of the fact that he is a servant of NArAyanA. He should be highly enthusiastic to wear the Thiruman KAppu for the reason that it reminds him of the servant-master relationship (sesha-seshi sambhandam) eternally existing between himself and the Supreme Master Sriman NArAyanA. The ThirumaN Kappu worn by a SriVaishnava has to have the two white lines and the yellow or red line at the center, housing the Divine couple, who are never separated.
Thiruman (White lines) is sported using the white clay. The white clay that we purchase from the shops or from temples nearby comes majorly from Thirunarayanapuram, Thiruvahindrapuram, Ayodhya and few other divya kshterams where this white clay is found. The Yellow or Red line in the center- Srichurnam is basically prepared from turmeric and rice. One should be careful while buying Srichurnam as several varieties of Srichurnam are available at different retail outlets, some of which are made from Maida flour and chemical dye, which may not be suitable for certain types of skin, while there are also shops and outlets selling Srichurnam without adulteration,
If one is interested to prepare Srichurnam on his own, here is the method to prepare it. This method of preparing Srichurnam has been carried forward for generations:
- Step1: Take few pieces of Gundu Manjal/ Turmeric (Not Kasturi Manjal), as shown in the picture above. In this case, lets take 8 pieces of Gundu Manjal
- Step2: One small tumbler(azhaaku) of rice. (8:1 Ratio – Manjal:Rice)
- Step3: Soak both the Manjal and Rice in water for 8 hours
- Step4: After 8 hours, filter out water completely
- Step5: Start crushing it coarsely by using stone (idi kal) or by Mixie. While doing this (The consistency will be similar to preparing adhirsam maavu)
- Step6: Powder the mixture to make it finer/smoother
- Step7: Use a thin(melisu) Veshti/cloth and filter out the granules.
- Step8: Again make the mixture even finer, by grinding it in mixie. Repeat step 6 and 7 until it becomes finer
- Step9: Mix crushed ‘edible camphor’ (pachchai karpooram) with the powdered mixture.
- Step10: If you need to prepare red Srichurnam, mix vengaram (a variety of alum) / padikaaram (alum), salt and lime.
- Step11: Dry it in a place where there is no direct sunlight on it and transfer it into a box.
Note: For yellow Srichurnam skip step10 and for red Srichurnam step 10 has to be followed
For significance of Thiruman Kappu, kindly visit: http://anudinam.org/2013/07/04/significance-of-thiruman-kappu/
thank you very much for the details on preparation
Where can I get dark red srichoornam prepared in traditional way. I will be grateful for reply.
Thank you for posting this recipe. I respectfully offer that several ingredients are missing in the preparation of srichurnam. As Sri Uttamur Veeraraghavacharya Swami has published, in addition to the principal ingredient turmeric and rice (तण्डुल) you’ve mentioned, it must also contain tulasi, camphor (कर्पूर), sandalwood paste (गन्ध), कुंकुम and flowers (पुष्प).
If possible can you tell me book name by Uttamur swami…I will be thankful
can you please tell the proportion for ingreadiants at step 9&10. Also you have stated to aDD LIME. IS IT LIME JUICE OR LIME STONE?
I tried the above recipe at home for preparing RED srichurnam, and it came out more of a coffee powder color than the traditional red Srichurnam. It would be nice if someone could give the exact proportions.
I want to pripare the above Srichoornam as early . let me know where I bring shapeof die and its cost ?
thank u
balaji sastrigal
I want to pripare the above Srichoornam as early . let me know where I bring shapeof die and its cost ? notfor commertial
thank u
balaji sastrigal
what we can do to prepare white srichoormam
venkatesan
how much of vengaram (a variety of alum) / padikaaram (alum), salt and lime to be added. When it is to be mixed.
Kindly send the details for preparation of Tiruman and the inform the address for getting more number from Ayodhya
Swamy, I tried with all these 10 steps… it still stays Yellow not RED yet. am i missing something ?
Sir,what is venegaram/padikaram?how much quantity to be added and when to be added to 8:1 quantity of grinded ingredients.Where it is availabe?I need to prepare RED SRICHURNAM.KINDLY LET ME KNOW THE above required details…
Can any one explain, how the sendooram can made in traditional way?
I followed this instruction. Very good. I was able to prepare home made srichoornam. In the past I was getting skin irritation due to chemicals. Now no such issues.
Alum(Padikaram) can be added little. To make red keep on mixing lime gradually . You can stop when you feel you are having sufficient red color
Thanks for this information
Please give your email to get more details of srichuranam making. I live in US and not getting traditional red srichuranam.
Very nice. I want to contact you. Can you share your email id.
Dhanyosmi
Hi Srikanth,
What lime did you use? is it lime juice or lime stone powder? Could you please post the picture of the Srichuranam you made? I’m trying to make it and before I start I want to get everything in right proportion. Your help will be greatly appreciated by the whole community.
thanks,
Rajan
HI Rajan,
Lime i used usual one which people have it with beetal leaves. All I did is after 2 levels of fine filtering with manjal , i started using lime and mixing it gradually . Dont add too much lime else your skin will burn. After is it is in organge color stop it. If required add pachcha karpooram which will be a disinfectant.
I tried this and it’s not coming out as required. I added lime (lemon juice) and also slaked lime but it remain more orangish colour. Adding lime juice only makes it yellowish. Not sure what are we missing here. Padikkaram is also added . Can someone give the exact measurements to add??
I did all as mentioned above but unfortunately it is still dark orange …..
Gud evening sir i want srichurnas and thurumani white and red. Clour50 pics if abel to delivered.
And i want 50 upavithas and allso.