Diwali Vibes....'Abyang Snan'

      Diwali is all about lanterns emitting lights from every house, giving and receiving of sweets and wishes, and enjoying the early morning bath known as "Abhyang snan".

    Abhyanga Snan is performed on Naraka Chaturdashi Tithi. It provides you with numerous health benefits. 

Procedure:

• All family members wake up early in the morning
• Women of the house apply Utane(A mixture of aromatic herbs and pulses) to all the members of the family from head to toe to cleanse and moisturise their body.
• After massaging body, Women of the house perform aarti with diya made up of wheat flour and apply kumkum tikka.
• Then take a regular bath with the use of any scented soaps. 
• Wear new cloths after taking holy bath.

Materials required to make Utane at home:

• Sesame seeds(make fine powder)
• Amla powder
• Gram floor (Besan)
• Turmeric powder
• Rose petal powder/ Rose water
• Milk

    Combine all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl and add milk as per the need.

    Now a days readymade "Sugandhi Utane" is available in grocery store also.

    According to mythology, Narak Chaturdasi signifies the victory of good over evil. And thus, the early morning bath signifies the destruction of evil within us. It is also believed that since abhyang snan is taken before the sunrise, it is as sacred as bathing in the river Ganges.

"Happy and Healthy Diwali"