Mangal Sutra /Thaali

All of us tamilians know the significance of thaali. I just want to share two episodes that happened with my thaali.

First was when we went to Darjeeling trip and visited a friend of my dad's while returning. The lady of the house fed us well with rice, dal, panneer and vegetables.
After food and talk, she wanted to see my mangal sutra. She was fascinated to see it. According to her custom, after marriage she has to wear a particular bangle which her mother in law brings. The mangal sutra is optional. She always wanted to make a thaali like the South Indians. She asked for all the details and even made a drawing of my thaali. I was so excited to see someone who was so fascinated by the South Indian thaali (not the food plate which is also thali..lol).

The next incident happened recently near the swimming pool here. The girl walked to me and said "Your necklace is so beautiful." She was amazed and was looking into it. She was asking if it was gold and she could recognise one pink colour stone as ruby. Then I told her that those are the images of deities. She did not understand much but was keen on knowing which was the man and which the woman. Then she touched it and admired it. Then she said its lovely and told me to put it in and keep it safe.

It surprises me to find people who are so fascinated by our so common thaali. I was also happy to give them a mini-lecture about it.