Hindu Birth celebrations
Samskaras
Samskaras are basically life-cycle rituals that Hindus complete during the life of the individual.
There are 16 Hindu samskaras. These are 7 of the 16 which includes:
- Jatakarma
- Namakarana
- Nishkramana
- Annaprashana
- Chudakarana
- Karnavedha
- Upanayan or Vedarambha
Birth
Before the baby is born, the father parts the mothers' three times from the front to the back. This step is to ensure the ripening of the mother's embryo.
When the baby is born, the father is allowed to touch the baby's lips with a golden spoon or a ring dipped with honey, curds and ghee.
Then, the word vak (meaning speech) is whispered three times to the baby's right ear.
Hymns or mantras are said to make sure that the baby would have a long life.
Jatakarma
This is when the baby is first born and is given the taste of honey and ghee.
The mother will start her breastfeeding process and starts saying hymns or mantras (said earlier).
Namakarana
In this ceremony, the baby is given it's formal name. This is held 11 days after birth.
The word "Nam" means name and "Karan" means create.
The name of the baby is selected by verdic astrology. The name is decided according to the "Janam Nakshatra" or the birth star of the child which is the position of the planets at the time of the baby's birth. And also the moon sign.
There are 5 primary principles in naming a child in Hinduism.
- Nakshatranam (by lunar asterism)
- Masanam (by month of birth)
- Devatanama (after the family deity)
- Rashinama (by Zodiac symbol)
- Samsarikanama (by the worldly name)
Traditionally, a males name should have their letters in even numbers and girls have their names in odd numbers.
The 11 letters is the best for both sexes.
Here is a link which will show you the first letters of names based on the childs birth star.
http://hinduism.about.com/od/astrology/a/Namkaran-Hindu-Naming-Ceremony_2.htm
Nishkramana
In this step, the child is taken outside the house for the first time usually at the age of 4 months.
The child is taken outside to sunbathe for a while.
Annaprashana
This is a ritual when the child is given solid food (anna) for their first time.
It takes place when the child is 6 months old and is usually fed with a few rice grains mixed with ghee.
Chudakarana
This ceremony is when the child's hair is cut for the first time.
"Cuda" means to lock or tuft of hair.
This happens when the child is about 3 or 5 years old.
Karnavedha
When the child is 7 or 8 months old, they will have their ears pierced.
This is done with a specific thorn and butter is applied to the wound after the piercing.
Both boys and girls can do this.
But these days, it is more often done on girls rather than on boys.
Samskaras are basically life-cycle rituals that Hindus complete during the life of the individual.
There are 16 Hindu samskaras. These are 7 of the 16 which includes:
- Jatakarma
- Namakarana
- Nishkramana
- Annaprashana
- Chudakarana
- Karnavedha
- Upanayan or Vedarambha
Birth
Before the baby is born, the father parts the mothers' three times from the front to the back. This step is to ensure the ripening of the mother's embryo.
When the baby is born, the father is allowed to touch the baby's lips with a golden spoon or a ring dipped with honey, curds and ghee.
Then, the word vak (meaning speech) is whispered three times to the baby's right ear.
Hymns or mantras are said to make sure that the baby would have a long life.
Jatakarma
This is when the baby is first born and is given the taste of honey and ghee.
The mother will start her breastfeeding process and starts saying hymns or mantras (said earlier).
Namakarana
In this ceremony, the baby is given it's formal name. This is held 11 days after birth.
The word "Nam" means name and "Karan" means create.
The name of the baby is selected by verdic astrology. The name is decided according to the "Janam Nakshatra" or the birth star of the child which is the position of the planets at the time of the baby's birth. And also the moon sign.
There are 5 primary principles in naming a child in Hinduism.
- Nakshatranam (by lunar asterism)
- Masanam (by month of birth)
- Devatanama (after the family deity)
- Rashinama (by Zodiac symbol)
- Samsarikanama (by the worldly name)
Traditionally, a males name should have their letters in even numbers and girls have their names in odd numbers.
The 11 letters is the best for both sexes.
Here is a link which will show you the first letters of names based on the childs birth star.
http://hinduism.about.com/od/astrology/a/Namkaran-Hindu-Naming-Ceremony_2.htm
Nishkramana
In this step, the child is taken outside the house for the first time usually at the age of 4 months.
The child is taken outside to sunbathe for a while.
Annaprashana
This is a ritual when the child is given solid food (anna) for their first time.
It takes place when the child is 6 months old and is usually fed with a few rice grains mixed with ghee.
Chudakarana
This ceremony is when the child's hair is cut for the first time.
"Cuda" means to lock or tuft of hair.
This happens when the child is about 3 or 5 years old.
Karnavedha
When the child is 7 or 8 months old, they will have their ears pierced.
This is done with a specific thorn and butter is applied to the wound after the piercing.
Both boys and girls can do this.
But these days, it is more often done on girls rather than on boys.