| Garbhadhana |
This sanskar is performed for the attainment of good children.
In this, the birth of a child occurs by the combination of Raj and semen of the parents.
In this way, the combination of physical matching of man and woman is called the conception ceremony. |
| Pumsavana |
This sanskara was performed three months after the conception ceremony.
The original purpose of being done after three months was that after three months the brain of the fetus starts developing.
At this time the wish of getting a son is also done. |
| Simantonnayana |
This ceremony was performed in the fourth, sixth and eighth months of conception.
At this time the fetus becomes capable of learning.
In this rite, the hair of the pregnant woman is raised and prayers are offered to save the child from evil forces. |
| Jatakarman |
This ceremony is performed on the occasion of the birth of a child.
Ghee and honey are offered to the newborn in this ritual.
In this Vedic mantras are recited so that the newborn baby is healthy and has a long life. |
| Namakarana |
After the Jatakarma ceremony, the naming ceremony is performed.
This sanskar is performed on the 10th or 12th day after the birth of the child.
In this sacrament, the newborn baby is named |
| Nishkramana |
This ceremony is performed after the naming ceremony.
This sanskar is performed anytime from the 12th day to the fourth month.
In this, the newborn baby is taken out of the house for the first time. |
| Annaprashana |
This sanskar is performed at the time of tooth eruption of the child i.e. in the 6th to 7th month.
In this sacrament, food is introduced to the child. |
| Chudakarma |
In this rite, the hair of a newborn baby is cut for the first time.
This sanskar is also called mundan sanskar.
This sanskar is performed when the child attains the age of 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.
As a result of this sanskar, the head of the child becomes strong and his intellect becomes sharp. |
| Karnavedha |
In this ceremony, the ear of the child is pierced.
After the completion of this sanskar, jewellery is worn in the ear of the child. |
| Vidyarambha |
Vidyarambha Samskaras’ aim is that a child should be introduced to the priority of education.
It is usually performed at the age of five, It is a ritual that celebrates as a milestone, the child’s formal attempt to learn means of knowledge. |
| Upanayana |
After the completion of this rite, the child was called Dwij. Dwij means rebirth.
Under this rite, the child was made to wear Yagyopaveet before going to the Guru’s ashram.
There were three threads in this Yagyopaveet, which were considered to be symbols of Sat, Raja and Tama.
This rite was mainly related to education. |
| Vedarambha |
This ceremony was completed with the Upanayana ceremony.
Under this sanskar, the child was made to study the Vedas. |
| Keshant |
‘Kesh’ means hair and ‘ant’ means the end.
This Sanskar involves the first shaving of the beard by the student at the age of sixteen.
The ceremony included gift-giving such as to the barber and the teacher at his school.
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| Samavartan |
This ceremony was performed by the Guru.
After the completion of the education in the Gurukul, this ceremony was performed before the student returned home.
It was also called the bathing ceremony because bathing was the most important work on this occasion, only after this ceremony the student become a graduate. |
| Vivaha |
The marriage ceremony was considered the most important sacrament.
It was through this rite that the graduate entered the householder’s life. |
| Antyeshti |
Antyeshti is the final Sanskar in a Hindu’s life.
The final rituals are performed with meticulous care with the help of Brahmin priests. |