Hindu Rituals:
Panchmashi:
This is a ritual connected to well wishing a child in womb of a pregnant woman at the beginning of the fifth month of pregnancy. It is thus called Panch (Fifth) Mashi (Month).
In this ritual five items are used for wearing on the right wrist of the would be mother 1. Moong Beans (Vigna radiata) 2. A piece of iron (Anything like a paper clip, iron nail etc., Preferably a kadu (Ring) 3. Hanumanji's Bali (A thick paste resulting and obtained from oil, Sindoor, Black Udad dal etc poured on Hanuman Idol from Hanuman temple) 4. A little dust obtained from intersection of four roads. (Chaar Raste ki dhool) 5. Black cloth
All the above are wrapped in small black cloth and tied on the right hand wrist, with a black thread, of the would be mother. This ritual is generally done by sister of the husband. (Nanad of would be mother)
This ritual is mostly done in western India by Maharashtrians.