Recently, something special happened. My fellow Fulbrighters, Shreya and Jahnavi, moved into their new apartment and invited me over for their housewarming. I expected it to be like housewarmings in the U.S., with some snacks, light conversation and a tour of the space. Instead, the most memorable part of the visit was something I never expected. We watched milk overflow from a pot!
Paal Kaachal, or in English, "milk boiling," is a traditional South Indian ceremony that is common in states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala. During the ceremony, a new clay or metal pot is placed on the stove and filled with milk. The milk is boiled until it rises and overflows from the pot. Yes, this is intentional! When the milk spills over, family members pray and celebrate because this moment is seen as a very positive sign. After the ceremony, the milk is shared with everyone in the form of tea, coffee, or, if you want to get really creative, even chocolate milk. No matter how it is used, the most important part is that the milk is consumed and shared because it is considered blessed and represents carrying that good fortune and happiness into the people who will visit or live in the home.
