5 Beautiful Moments from Our Visit to the Kuladeivam Temple

My Personal Experience with Kuladeivam Worship

Kuladeivam worship is a sacred tradition that honors the family deity passed down through generations. I’d like to share one of my most memorable experiences visiting our Kuladeivam temple—a day filled with faith, family, and tradition.

1.Visiting the Kuladeivam Temple for the First Time

Our Kuladeivam temple is located in a remote village, so we don’t visit often. My in-laws, however, make regular trips. Before marriage, I had never visited the temple. But after getting married, I had the opportunity to go for the first time, and since then, it has become a yearly tradition for us.

2.Preparing Pongal at the Temple

During our first visit, we went as a big extended family and cooked Pongal dish together at the temple. My mother-in-law shared that the temple used to be very small, but over the years, it had been developed by members of our community who contributed both time and money. Thanks to a newly built roof, we were able to cook Pongal without worrying about the rain—a great blessing for such an open setting.

3.Receiving the Kuladeivam Photo – A Special Blessing

During that visit, some kind volunteers at the temple gave us a photo of our Kuladeivam. Receiving it felt incredibly special—like a direct blessing from the deity. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and felt an instant spiritual connection.

4.Rituals and Family Bonding

As part of the tradition, my mother-in-law brought all the ingredients for the Pongal from home. She also made arrangements with the temple priest to perform (ritual bathing of the deity). I don’t remember if we performed it that first time, but I do recall that during our second visit, we brought all the items and completed the ritual.

She asked me to begin the Pongal preparation by washing the rice and placing it in the pot. I wasn’t expected to cook the full dish—just that simple, symbolic act of starting it meant a lot. The Pongal, a sweet dish made with rice, jaggery, and ghee, was cooked traditionally in a clay pot over an open fire, with my husband and his aunts lending a hand.

5.Sharing the Meal Together

Once the Pongal was ready, we noticed quite a few flies around the temple. To enjoy the meal more comfortably, we all went to one of my aunt’s nearby home. She had brought along a few extra dishes, and soon, my husband’s cousins joined us. It turned into a joyful family gathering filled with warmth, conversation, and delicious food.

This experience helped me feel more connected to our Kuladeivam and deepened my appreciation for the cultural and spiritual traditions carried through generations. It was a day of togetherness, blessings, and heartfelt memories—one I will always cherish. This post is based entirely on my personal experience. Traditions and practices may differ from family to family.

Your feedback is always welcome. Stay tuned for more traditions in my upcoming article.

Your engagement till the end is truly appreciated. Until next time, stay well and keep learning.