Annaprashana

Annaprashana is the ceremonial feeding of cooked rice to a child for the first time in its life. It constitutes one of the important ceremonies in the Hindu society. This ritual is held when the child is six months old, which is considered the optimum weaning time. The child usually attains the strength to digest cereal based food during this period.

The Annaprashana ceremony is believed to bestow the child with good digestive power, thoughts and talents. Offerings are made to the goddess of speech and vigor. Prayers are offered for the happiness of the child. Rice is cooked with utmost care and mixed with ghee (clarified butter), curd or honey. This food is fed by the father of the child in small quantities amidst the chants from the Vedas, one from Rig Veda and one from Yajur Veda. These chants are believed to bless the child with good health throughout its life. The religious rites are performed by specially invited priests.