What is the meaning of Masikam in Tamil Hindu tradition?

Masikam (from Sanskrit “Masika” meaning monthly) is the monthly ancestral offering performed by Tamil Hindu families for 12 months following the death of a close relative. Each month, on the tithi corresponding to the death, a Masikam ceremony is conducted to provide spiritual sustenance to the departed soul during its one-year transitional journey to the ancestral realm (Pitru Loka). The ritual involves offering rice balls (pindas), water, sesame seeds, and darbha grass while reciting Vedic mantras. Masikam is considered equivalent to the North Indian “Masik Shradh” but follows Tamil Shakha traditions with specific Dravida procedures and mantras. After 12 completed Masikams, the soul is believed to merge with the ancestors during the Sapindikarana ceremony.