Annaprashana

The Annaprashana (Sanskrit: अन्नप्राशन, Annaprāśana, Bengali: অন্নপ্রাশন, Onnoprashon) also known as Annaprashana vidhi, Annaprasan or Anna-prasanam or Anna Prashashan, is a Hindu ritual (Saṃskāra) that marks an infant's first intake of food other than milk. The term annaprashan literally means "food feeding" or "eating of food".[1]

Annaprashan offerings
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Hinduism

The Annaprashana, unlike many other Samskaras, remains an important ceremony in modern India.[1]

Etymology

The word Annaprāśana (Devanagari: अन्नप्राशन) is made up of two words, Anna meaning "boiled rice" and Prāśana translates to "Feeding".[2][3][4] The ceremony is referred to in English as first eating of food,[5][1]

Ceremony
Annaprashana ceremony

The ceremony is usually arranged in consultation with a priest, who arranges an auspicious date on which to conduct the ceremony.

It is usually carried out when the child is six to eight months old — odd months for girls and even months for boys — when the teeth have begun to appear, though the child may be weaned at a later time.[6] It is an occasion for celebration, and extended family, friends and neighbours are invited to attend.

Annaprashana is followed by Mamabhat, which takes place in the maternal uncle's or grandparents' house. In this second ceremony the child's maternal uncle feeds it rice. It is celebrated within that week because in Vedic Hindu culture the child cannot eat rice until Annaprashana and Mamabhat have both occurred. However, nowadays parents consult doctors and start rice accordingly.

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References
  1. Lochfeld, James G. (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M. The Rosen Publishing Group. pp. 43–44. ISBN 9780823931798.
  2. spokensanskrit.org "Anna" http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?mode=3&script=hk&tran_input=anna&direct=au&anz=100
  3. spokensanskrit.org "Rice" http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?mode=3&script=hk&tran_input=rice&direct=au&anz=100
  4. spokensanskrit.org "Prasana" http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?mode=3&script=hk&tran_input=prashanam&direct=au&anz=100
  5. Manu smṛti.
  6. Pandit, Bansi (2005). Explore Hinduism. Heart of Albion. p. 128. ISBN 9781872883816.
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