In the Hindu way, every child born is named in a ceremony is called the Namakaranam. This function is not just a religious one but also has social and legal aspects to it. This is the first ceremony in a baby’s life, and so it helps to forge a good bond between the baby and his or her family. The guests bless the child with good health, wealth and prosperity with a bright future so that he or she may follow the line of his or her great ancestors. This will also help the parents to understand the task of parenting that lies ahead of them. We can say that this ceremony is a reaffirmation of the importance and significance of human life.
Namakaranam is usually conducted after the 12th day of birth, but this differs as per region and custom. The 12th day is chosen because the first ten days after a baby’s birth is thought off to be a period of impurity and so in a sense, we can say that the ritual of Namakaranam is one to cleanse the baby and the mother as in some cultures both are given a good oil bath. The name for the newborn is chosen after consultation with the elders. The custom is to give a child a name that is significant for various reasons.
Auspicious Time
The naming ceremony is usually held on the 12th day, but if for some reason it cannot be held on the 12th day then it is done on the 101st day or the first birthday. In some communities, the naming ceremony takes place only after three months from birth.
Appropriate Place
Namakaranam ceremony can be held either at home or in a temple, where the priest prays to the Gods, Agni, the God of fire, the five elements of nature or Pancha Bootha and ancestors. The priest invokes their blessings for the child and beseeches them to protect the newborn.
Participants
The father or the maternal uncle does the actual Namakaranam or the act of naming the child. The priest offers prayers and invokes the blessings of the Gods for the child’s longevity and wellbeing.
According to Rig Veda, a child should be given a name that comprises four components. They are:
On the Namakaranam day, the child’s first horoscope is written and placed in front of the divine for blessings. In some communities, during the Namakaranam, the child is placed in a sturdy piece of red or green cloth and in that cloth items such as betel leaves and betel nuts, haldi or turmeric, lentils or moong dal, coins with denominations of one are placed. According to traditional practices, these items are considered to bring good omen. In other cultures, the paternal aunts hold the cloth in which the baby is placed and swing it gently as if to rock the cradle. The women present will sing songs that are specific to the occasion.
At the auspicious time, the baby is first placed on the paternal or maternal uncle’s lap, and he whispers the selected Hindu name in the baby’s right ear. Traditionally, it is believed that a betel leaf or its silver image, or leaves of Kusha grass are used to guide the sound of the name into the child’s ear. With this, the ceremony is concluded, and sweets are distributed among guests.
Finally, a feast is arranged so that everyone present can partake in the festivities for it is indeed a time to rejoice the new addition to the family.
Our skilled Vedic priests make sure you rejoice the occasion and perform the ceremony following all the prescribed procedures to invoke divine blessings for wellbeing and happiness of the child.