We all know how newborns must be taken care of with utmost
caution and attention, especially during the first 8-10 months. They must be
safeguarded against any kind of infection, which is why they are fed on only
mother’s milk for the first few months, which is considered the healthiest food
for them.
Every child has to undergo a few rites and rituals as per
the beliefs and customs of the religion the family belongs to. Of these rites,
‘Annaprashana’ is one of the most important ceremonies. One of the most
significant moments in a baby’s life is when he or she transitions from liquids
to solid food. Believing it to be a grand affair, this phase of the start of
having solid food is widely celebrated across the Hindu community in a ceremony
called ‘Annaprashana’. Regarded as one of the most important rituals, the
Sanskrit word ‘Annaprashana’ means eating food (‘Anna’ meaning food and
‘prashana’ meaning eating). Because it is the first time a child consumes solid
food, it is considered a very joyous affair by the entire family, relatives,
and friends. This ceremony is majorly seen in the Bengali and Malayali
communities, and is usually arranged in consultation with a priest, who
arranges an auspicious date to conduct it. You can approach MakeMyPuja Pandits
to arrange for the most religiously and appropriately conducted Annaprashana
for your baby.
The ceremony of Annaprashana dates back to the Vedic period,
and is believed to be of Indo-Iranian origin. Therefore, this ceremonial
feeding is found in both Indian and Parsi cultures. As per the ritual, the ceremony
is usually carried out when the child is 6 to 8 months old – with odd months
for girls, and even months for boys. This is when the teeth have begun to
appear, symbolizing that the baby is now ready to digest small amounts of solid
food. In this ceremony, the child is weaned away from the mother, and is made
to eat solid food that acts as a substitute for the mother’s milk. It could be
boiled rice of rice kheer, which is
first offered to the Gods and then fed to the child by the maternal uncle or
grandfather. The Gods are invoked and offered the food to seek blessings for
the child so that all his senses are gratified, and he can live a happy
contented life. People pray to God for the health, longevity, and prosperity of
the child before giving him food. After the maternal uncle or grandfather gives
the child some food, other members also join in the ceremony to feed the child
and shower blessings upon him. Also, the priest performs a Puja or Havan for a
healthy and auspicious start of the child’s new phase.
This ceremony cannot be held before the child completes 4-5
months as he is not capable to digest food until then. Also, it cannot be
conducted after 1 year because by the 9th or 10th month,
the mother’s milk may have diminished causing the mother’s body to take up some
amount of weakness. Therefore, the best time range for this ceremony is between
the 6th and 8th month so that both the child and mother
can remain healthy, and adapt to the new phase of feeding. However, if the
child is week, the ceremony can be postponed up till the 10th month,
but not later than that.
So, consult your doctor to understand which would be the
best time for having your child to start consuming solid food, and get in touch
with a priest to let you know the most auspicious date for your child’s
Annaprashana. Whatever it is, don’t delay this ceremony for after completion of
your child’s first year.
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