Sumangali Prarthanai is a ceremony conducted in memory of a woman who has predeceased her husband. The ritual and ceremony is a prayer in the memory of the departed sumangali. Sumangali Pooja which is popular among the Brahmin community in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, is not a Vedic ritual and is conducted exclusively by ladies. The main benefits of the puja is peace for the departed soul and peace and prosperity for her living family members. It is also the custom that those specially invited as representing the departed sumangali should be odd in number and be selected from outside the family circle of the performer. The daughters of the house are specially invited and are served by daughter-in-law of the house. All the invitees should be Sumangalis – their husbands being alive. The invitees are requested to assemble at the performer’s residence after an oil bath, clad in orthodox dress. A respectful reception is accorded to them as they arrive, their feet washed and of