அன்னப்ராசனம்
Purpose
Annaprashan marks the first feeding of solid food to a baby. It's a celebration of the child's growth and transition from milk to regular food.
மேலோட்டம்
Annaprashan (literally "food feeding") is a joyful ceremony where the baby tastes solid food for the first time. It's usually rice-based kheer or payasam.
**The Ceremony:**
1. Baby is bathed and dressed in new clothes
2. Placed on parent's or grandparent's lap
3. Prayers and aarti performed
4. First food offered - typically sweet rice (kheer)
5. Different items placed before baby - child's first "choice" is observed
**Items Test:** Books, money, jewelry, mud/clay, food - what baby reaches for first is said to indicate their future inclination.
Step-by-Step Procedure
Preparation
Gather all required items and prepare the space.
Invocation
Begin with prayers and invocation.
Main Ritual
Perform the main ritual as prescribed.
Conclusion
Complete with final prayers and distribution.
Do's and Don'ts
- • Choose auspicious muhurta
- • Dress baby in new clothes
- • Use silver bowl and spoon
- • Feed sweet first (kheer/payasam)
- • Take photographs for memories
- • Don't force feed
- • Avoid spicy or hard foods
- • Don't do if baby is unwell
- • Avoid inauspicious times
Frequently Asked Questions
Babies usually 5-7 months old when ready for solids.
Boys: Even months (6th, 8th). Girls: Odd months (5th, 7th). During auspicious muhurta.
Quick Actions
Materials Needed
Essential
- Fresh Flowers
- Rice (Akshat)
- Kumkum (Sindoor)
- Incense Sticks (Agarbatti)
- Diya (Oil Lamp)
- Cotton Wicks
Related Rituals
-
கிரகப்பிரவேசம்
2 hours -
வித்யாரம்பம்
45 minutes -
சௌளம்
1h 30m -
நாமகரணம்
1 hour