| Havan | Upanayan | Vivaha | Seemant |
| NAAMKARAN : Naming A New Born The first samskara or sacrament in a Hindu's life is immediately after birth. It is called Naamkaran or the naming ceremony. Different linguistic groups have different names for this sacrament but the events are generally the same. A child's name is determined by his birth star chart drawn in his horoscope. It is also decided by heredity considerations or the parents' choice. All Hindu names are associated with deities, rivers, mountains, human virtues or auspicious thoughts. Hindus firmly believe that a child's name carries its own auspicious vibrations. On the Naamkaran day, 12 days after a child's birth, the cradle is decorated with flowers and garlands. The new mother wears festive clothes and jewellery. The grandmothers rock the baby and the name is whispered into the baby's ears three times by the elders. Then a festive meal is served to the invitees. Many people also perform a havan to bless the child. The baby is taken on his first visit to a temple 40 days after his birth and after all immunizations, is ready to be presented to society. 
 |