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Baby naming ceremony are auspicious happenings. All religions and caste this feat with lot of happiness. Name is a life time thing and hence there is much excitement and showering of blessings on the baby.
The Naam Karan festival by Hindus or the naming ceremony is done with much élan and showbiz. The child is bathed freshly and adorned with gold and silver jewelry. A neat assortment of flowers, vermilion and sweets along with the Aarti is arranged in a decorative plate. The child is seated in the mother’s lap and the Aarti ritual is conducted. The tilak is placed on the forehead of the child. The child’s name is mostly whispered in the ear by the fathers sister and then by the entire family. The child is put in the cradle and with rhyming verses and traditional songs, the name of the child is repeated for effect. Blessings are bestowed as Aashirwad and also gifts are showered with the tradition of bringing good luck to the child.
The ceremony is held at home or in a temple. In case the home is inconvenient to host so many relatives and friends an ideal hall is booked to conduct the ritual. Certain communities conduct this feat on the 11th day of the baby. In Kerala it is done after 28 days and others prefer after 3 months. In certain castes, a huge cloth is held instead of the baby cradle and the four sisters of the father of the child swing it in motion. All relatives sing traditional songs and chant rhymes telling the child’s name.
In the Maharashtrian tradition, the child’s aunt whispers the name in the child’s ear and later says it aloud. The child is kept in the cradle and a grinding stone (small) is rounded over the cradle for five times. The cradle is beautifully decorated and diya or lamps are made of wheat flour moulds.
In Kerala the tradition is similar though having a havan or a Hom where the holy fire is lit is considered necessary. A huge feast follows alongwith singing. It is essential to present the fathers sister( name giver) with a suitable gift.
As per tradition, it is essential to name the child with easy names to be pronounced without mistakes. The nakshatra and raashi are considered. Believers in numerology are careful with the spelling of the name. Some prefer their family deities name or certain families carry on the names of their forefathers.
Catholics name the child and seek blessing of all in the Church. This is refereed as Baptism where the child is given a ritual tub bath by the priest and clothed in white garment. Generally the choice is exercised by the parents, most Catholic names are chosen after saints or refer to patrons. Most names are unique and contain foreign influences. This is also the best time to consider God parents for your baby which is a major decision.
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