Namkaran or naming ceremony is the Indian practice of naming
a baby in Hinduism. ‘Nama’ means name, and ‘Karana’ means to do; thus
‘Namkaran’ means to name a child. This ceremony is held at home or in a temple
in the presence of a priest who carries out the appropriate procedures, after
which the father of the child or the maternal uncle whispers the child’s name
into his right ear, to bring the name into effect. Apart from the priest and
family, even relatives and friends are invited to celebrate the Namkaran
ceremony. The naming of the baby is done with lots of enthusiasm and ordeal
because the new life brought into a home brings immense joy to the complete
household. You can book a MakeMyPuja Pandit to have your baby’s naming ceremony
done in the most auspicious and appropriate way so as to seek blessings from
all the Gods and deities for a healthy and prosperous life ahead for your
child.
The Namkaran ceremony is the first real ceremony held for
the newborn child. It usually takes place on the 12th day after
birth because it is considered that the first ten days after a baby’s birth are
a period of impurity; and the Namkaran cleanses the baby and the mother by
giving them an oil bath. For any possible reason, if the ceremony cannot take
place on the 12th day, it can be held anytime after that, but before
the completion of one year of the baby.
The Namkaran is followed by a few Hindu rules known as the ‘Samskaras’ that are several in number,
revolving around a Hindu’s life. The priest prays to Agnidev – the lord of
fire, the Pancha bhoothas – the five elements, and to the Pitru – the ancestors
who are considered present in spirit form. He invokes all their blessings for
the child and requests them to protect the newborn.
Different cultures and religions follow different practices
when it comes to naming their child. Some people name the child according to
the deity the household believes in. There are others who name the first child
after his grandfather, or even his father. However, according to the Grihyasutras,
there are five fundamentals for selecting a baby’s name that depends on the
culture, religion, education, and caste of the family. These five fundamentals
are –
·
The name of the baby should begin with his
particular Nakshatra, and must contain a specific set of syllables and vowels.
·
The name of the baby should indicate the sex of
the newborn.
·
The name of the baby should sound pleasant, and
be easy to pronounce.
·
The name of the baby should indicate the caste
of the family.
·
The name of the baby should signify power,
wealth, and fame.
However, in this modern age, not everybody believes in
following these rituals. People name their baby as per their wish, and try to
make their name sound modern and unique. However, for those who are still
completely Hindu at heart, you must name your child as per his/her Nakshatra,
and make sure it identifies his caste, and holds a meaning.
Website: https://www.makemypuja.com/
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