Hindu Baby Rituals

Jatakarma

Karnavedha

     Hindus have many rituals for a new child, from before conception to when they are old enough to go to school.  The rituals start soon after marriage, where a conception prayer will be recited.  This is to help the newly weds fulfill their duty as Hindus to continue the Hindu race and produce a baby.  Then, during the third month of the pregnancy a ceremony called the Punsavana, or fetus protection, is performed.  This is done in the hope of a strong physical growth for the fetus.  During the seventh month of the pregnancy, the Simantonnyana is performed.  This is similar to a baby shower in the west.  This is to help keep a heathy state in both the mother and the child, for Hindus believe that the mental state of the mother affects that of the unborn child.  Once the child is born, Jatakarma is performed.  This is to welcome the child into the family and the world, and is done so by putting honey in the child’s mouth and whispering the name of God in their ear.  Other rituals include the naming ceremony (Namakarna), the child’s first trip out (Nishkarmana), and the child’s first taste of solid food (Annapransana).  The next major ceremonies are the Karnavedha and the Mundan.  The Karnavedha is the ear-piercing ceremony.  This is done on both boys and girls and is considered a type of acupuncture.  The Mundan is the first haircut and symbolizes the removal of impurities.  The final ritual as a child is the Upanayana, or sacred thread ritual.  Three strands of sacred thread, representing the three vows (to respect the knowledge, the parents, and the society)  are given before the start of formal schooling.  These rituals help guide a Hindu child into the complex world of Hinduism without overburdening them with gods and reincarnations.  They help connect the child to the religion personally, so they are not just an idea they are a personal experience.