Tradition of Annaprashan

Annaprashan is a Sanskrit term, which literally means "grain initiation". It is commonly knownas your baby's first feeding or first rice-eating ceremony. A popular Hindu custom, annaprashan marks the beginning of solid food in your baby's life. Following this ritual, you can slowly start to introduce other  weaning foods into your baby's diet. While the rites of the ceremony may differ according to the region, annaprashan essentially celebrates your baby's transition to solids.

All family members, relatives, friends, and neighbors attend this occasion to get a sight of the baby taking his first morsel of rice. For baby girls, odd months that are 5th or 7th, and for baby boys, even months, 6th or 8th, are considered auspicious. The priest fixes this auspicious date based on Panjika.

Annaprashan is mainly done at home or at a temple. However, some parents prefer to hire a banquet hall or community centre for the function.Alternatively, many families performannaprashanat home. If you're performing the ceremony at home, youmay want to contact a priest to help with the religious rites.

In the morning, turmeric paste is applied to the baby, and then the baby is given a bath. In some cultures, the ritual, first shaving of a baby's head, takes place on this day. Baby boys are made to wear Dhoti- Panjabi, and Topor, a type of headgear used by Bengalis. Baby girls wear small-sized red sarees or red lehenga- choli and white/gold crown or headband.  Sandalwood paste design on the forehead of the baby completes the look.

The rice feeding ceremony ritual is usually offered by the maternal uncle, Mama.Alpona, a white liquid paste of rice and water, is painted using fingers at the ground where this ceremony takes place. Varieties of food are prepared for this occasion.  In some cultures, non-vegetarian dishes like fish are also included. The baby sits on his maternal uncle's lap, and he feeds him a spoon of Payesh, a preparation made of rice and thickened milk.

It is believed that if the baby wails after seeing the food, then in her last birth, she was born in a wealthier family. Anyways, after seeing so many relatives all at one go, generally, most of the babies cry. In some Bengali cultures, mothers can't watch this ceremony. After this, family members and relatives give blessings to the baby.  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.

--- The Guest Writer,Anik Shuvo