Time for a Ceremony

Check out the theme here: A Retelling of Valli and Karttikeya’s Love Story

This post is a part of BlogchatterA2Z Challenge 2026.

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Harvest was in full swing with everyone waking up early and working until the sunlight dimmed. Nila had asked Valli if she wanted to meet her secret lover. She said yes. However, they were exhausted from the day’s work and would fall asleep the instant they finished their dinner. This made Valli sad as the days passed. She missed Skanda and dreamt of him every night, but dreaming was not the same as meeting him in person.

No matter how much she tried, Valli couldn’t stay awake long enough to slip out of the house at night. She even tried to skip food, which only made her weaker.

Her mother noticed the sudden change and was worried. Her daughter went from being truly happy and glowing to looking like a dried plant. Not knowing what to do, Mangai approached an elderly neighbor.

“Valli looks so withdrawn and heartbroken! I asked her many times, but she wouldn’t say why. She doesn’t even speak to us like before. I’m afraid for her.”

The old woman had no clue either, so she said the only thing she could think of. The farmers believed certain spirits possessed the crops and could cling to people harvesting them. That was why they worshipped Murugan and offered him a variety of dishes, requesting him to protect them from harm as they harvested and cleaned the crop.

“Maybe one of the evil spirits somehow caught hold of Valli and is clinging to her. What else can explain the sadness of such a cheerful girl?”

Mangai was terrified. “What should I do?”

The old woman suggested they organize a ceremony for Skanda. “Make Valli perform all the rituals and cook the food served to him. I will contact the mantrika to bring kumkum and peacock feathers. He should have returned from Ceruttani by now.”

“When should I organize the ceremony, Amma?”

“The coming full moon should be good. Make Valli fast the entire day. Nampi can arrange for the pooja in the evening.”

Mangai discussed the details with the old woman for a while and spoke to her husband that night.

Nampi, too, had been worried about his daughter and readily agreed. The next morning, he called his youngest son aside and told him to take care of the arrangements.

“Bring all the items your amma wants and help her today. We have to protect Valli from those evil spirits or whatever is possessing her and eating away her happiness.”

Since her family had kept this a secret, Valli wasn’t aware of their plans. She was lost in her own world, preoccupied with thoughts of Skanda and missing him constantly.

On the full moon day, Mangai woke Valli an hour before dawn arrived. She gave her an old bath and dressed her in a new red saree.

“What is this, Amma?” Valli asked, suddenly worried.

“Nothing, my child. You should fast today and cook the offering for Murugan. There is a pooja in the evening.”

“Why now, Amma?”

“For your wellness, child. Don’t ask too many questions. It will be a busy day today. Come!”

Valli didn’t protest. If she had to fast for Skanda and cook him an offering, she would do it happily. Maybe this way she could meet him that evening. The thought cheered her up. She followed her mother’s instructions in the kitchen and made twelve dishes using various vegetables, roots, and the newly harvested millets from their farm.

By evening, she was tired but ready for the ritual. She took another bath and changed into a different saree her mother had selected. Once dressed, Valli walked to the village center, where a large ten-foot murti of Skanda with six heads sitting on a peacock greeted her. Valli felt his presence in the murti and smiled.

“We did the right thing. She is feeling better already!” The old woman whispered to Mangai, who wiped her tears in relief.