Question about "sect" in India

queenkaji

Hi,

During my last two trips to India, my family and I noticed (mostly in the South) groups of people who wear only black clothes. They usually dress in a loungi (skirt) with black shirts and a short black scarf. We also noticed that all of the groups were only men. We saw only two groups that included one woman each; also dressed in black sari. they always seem to be in groups both small and large.

does anyone know if this is a religious group. They seem to be. Any information is appreciated. We tried to communicate with them, but we did not have any language in common. we speak english/hindi and they seem to speak Tamil. NOt sure though.

Thanks!

Merchant

If I recall, there is some pilgrimage where people dress this way on their journey. I don't think they are a particular sect.

queenkaji

Thanks for the response. Do you know what pilgrimage?

kullukid

If we are talking about the same people they are Vaishnites worshippers of Vishnu. I saw lots of them at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum,from memory i think you could only enter this temple if you were wearing black & i don't think women were allowed in at all although i may be wrong about that. Here's the Temple.KK
http://www.tvmlive.com/city/padmanabha/
http://www.tug.org.in/tug2002/final-...mple-4-0.shtml

Nick-H

This are guys going (or preparing to go) to Sabarimellai in Kerala.

They will dress like this for 40 days, keep strict veggie diet, abstain from sex (I think).

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queenkaji

that would explain a lot. The train from Chennai to Kerala was full of them and they had brought they own meals too (veg of course).

Thanks for the responses. I will check the sites.

Nick-H

KK... I think a lot of Sabarimellai guys visit other temples in the same sort-of vicinity, and the Trivandrum one seems to be a favourite.

It is necessary to observe strict dress code to enter that temple, but it is not black only. For men it is plain vesti and bare chest or angavestram (mini-vesti worn as a shawl) only. Strictly no shirts or trousers. I'm not sure if all stitched clothing is banned --- do they check for underpants? .

You most certainly do not get into that temple if you are a foreigner --- except by express permission of the fierce Maharini of Travancore (the temple is property of the family). Even though I know a couple of members of that family, I've never dared ask!

What would have given you the 'male only' impression (I don't think there is any restriction on women) is the Sabarimellai mob: this is a strictly male do. Women are not allowed, and when one occasionally gets in it causes a scandal! (actual pre-pubert and post-menopausal women are allowed. Maybe the others are too distracting for the deity. Or something).

etin

Nick-H

Yep... garlands strung from all the windows... I think Kotyam is the stop.

They wouldn't be too enthusiastic about sharing a comnpartment with you --- not because of any unfriendliness, but becasue they are not supposed to be hobnobbing with women. Maybe its OK on the way back, though

Actually our builder/designer went a few weeks ago. He did not wear black before departure, but he did go barefoot. Apparently the last part of the trek to the temple has to be undertaken barefoot, and people need to toughen their feet by practising before going!

etin

Nick, there is restriction on women in Sabarimala. Women between 14 - 55 are not allowed to undertake this pilgrimage.

queenkaji

Actually, they were in the same compartment as us. at the beginning of the journey (Chennai to Kerala) they kept moving from compartment to compartment visiting their friends and spending some time together and having dinner. at around 10pm, two hours into the journey, they had settled down. there were two of them in our compartment--must have been in their twenties. The funny thing is that one of them went to sleep right away. the other one pulled out a cell phone and started talking to someone--a girlfriend we assumed. at the end of the conversation there were a lot of "I love u" exchanged. he hung up, changed the SIMS card of the phone and called another girl. With this one there were air kisses as well before hanging up! I guess he was not really into the spirit of things, at least not on the train.

queenkaji

What would have given you the 'male only' impression (I don't think there is any restriction on women) is the Sabarimellai mob: this is a strictly male do. Women are not allowed, and when one occasionally gets in it causes a scandal! (actual pre-pubert and post-menopausal women are allowed. Maybe the others are too distracting for the deity. Or something).[/quote]

Like I said we saw them many times while in Chennai and in Kerala. They only time we saw women in the groups was close to BAngalore. and even then there were only one woman in each group dressed in the same black fabric. They did look older, so maybe menopausal women are allowed?

Banarasi at heart

Usually the sabarimalla pilgrims are VERY strict. They wear the characteristic garland, wear saffron or black, do not shave, sleep on the floor, not wear shoes etc. During the pilgrimage season, it is not uncommon to see police inspectors dressed in full uniform but unshaven, without shoes etc.

That is also true.

queenkaji

Thank you all for the answers. I also found this website if anyone is interested in finding out more.

http://www.indiavarta.com/religion/sabarimala/

crvlvr

Nick and Etin are correct. The restriction for women applies to those who are in their menstruating period of their life (sorry, can't think of a better way to put it) Apparently. once the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi wanted to visit the temple and was refused permission by the temple authority.

Also, the men are supposed to give up the pleasures of life. (some more info here http://www.sabarimala.org/) The rigidity with which each one observes this varies. Devotees from Tamilnadu appear to take these restrictions (including the black dress) more seriously.

The temple is located in Kerala within thick jungle and is closed most of the year. a new path is hacked through the jungle each year before the pilgrimage season.

Also, there is a an unexplained light (makaravilaku) that appears once during the year and apprently this is considered the holiest time to visit the temple.

Some images: http://www.pbase.com/clodreno/a_y_a_p_p_a