Annaprashan is a Sanskrit term, which literally means "grain initiation". It is commonly known as your baby's first feeding or first rice-eating ceremony. It is called choroonu in Kerala, mukhe bhaat in Bengal and bhaatkhulai in the Garhwal hills. A popular Hindu custom, annaprashan marks the beginning of solid food in the baby's life. Following this ritual, parents slowly start to introduce foods other than Mother's Milk into their baby's diet. While the rites of the ceremony may differ according to the region, annaprashan essentially celebrates the baby's transition to solids.Annaprashan is conducted when the baby is ready to make the transition from a liquid diet to solids. It can be performed anytime from six months until before the baby's first birthday.When the baby gets solid food for the first time, Mantras are recited and pujas are offered to the various deities. It is believed that, with Annaprasana, the flaws that arise due to intake of impure food when as a foetus are removed. It is also believed that Annaprasana ceremony will help to propitiate speech. The meaning of Annaprasana is anna=rice and prasana= to enter. Annaprasana is done after the Namakaran ceremony.The baby is given 'Rice Kheer' or 'Payasam' fed with the help of a golden ring in a temple or in the presence of a priest. From here on you can continue giving the baby solid items in small quantity.According to the Grihyasutras, Annaprasana should be performed when the child is between six and seven months old. For a weak child, it can be postponed further. However it should not be performed before the child is four months old because he will not be able to digest food before then. Nor should the ceremony be performed after he is a year old because delaying additional nourishment could retard the child's natural growth and development.Some people believe that Annaprasana should be performed after the child's first teeth come out as this is a sure sign that he will be able to digest solid food.The religious ceremony is often followed by a fun game where a number of symbolic objects are placed on a banana leaf or silver tray which your baby can then pick up. The objects include: - books symbolising learning - jewels symbolising wealth - a pen symbolising wisdom - clay symbolising property - food items symbolising a love for food Family and friends have a great time cheering the little one while he makes his choice. It is believed that the object your baby picks up from the tray represents his area of interest in future.

• published: 24 Feb 2014
• views: 11