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Namkaran (Naming Ceremonyss)
The Namkaran ceremony is performed either on the eleventh or the one hundred
and first day of the birth of the child. The family priest is invited to perform
the ceremony. He recites mantras from the Vedas and gives his blessings to the
child. A name is given to the child on this day. The women of the family and the
locality assemble, sing songs and offer their good wishes to the child. The
family deity is also worshipped with offerings to the priest.
Panghat Poojan(Well Worship)
A few days after the birth of the child, the women of the family and
the locality take the mother of the child to a nearby well, where they worship
water. On their way to the well, the female procession sings in chorus in praise
of gods and goddess. This is a purely Rajasthani custom, which does not find
mention in the Vedas. Since water is scarce in Rajasthan, it is also an object
of worship.
Annapraashan (First Feeding)
When a child of six months old, the Annapraashan ceremony is held. As the
child is able to digest food he is given cooked rice, curd, ghee and honey as
his first meal. In some families, the child is given kheer i.e., rice cooked
with milk and sugar. The child is fed by his mother while Vedic hymns are
recited and oblations of ghee poured into fire. Yagna is performed on this
occasion and sweets are distributed to friends and relatives. The locality
gather to sing ceremonial songs and the family members worship the family deity.
Jharoola or Mundan (Head Shaving)
When a boy is two to three years old, the Mundan ceremony is performed. It is
believed that the hair on the head of the boy, when he is in the womb, is
inspire and therefore should be shaved off. On an auspicious day, the head of
the boy is shaved amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns. Only a tuft is left on the
head. This ceremony is also performed by some families in their ancestral
temple.
Upanayan (Initiation)
This ceremony is performed when a boy is eight or nine years old. Upanayan
literally means taking a boy to an acharya or guru for initiation into the life
of a Brahmachari. At this ceremony, the boy is clad in the garments of an
ascetic. He is given a staff in his hand. A sacred thread (Yajnopavit) is hung
over his left shoulder and diagonally down his right arm and he is expected to
always wear it from that day onwards. The family priest whispers into the
ears of the boy the most sacred verse from the hymns of the Rig Veda addressed
to the Sun God, Savtiur. Known as the Gayatri Mantra, the sacred verse initiates
the boy into the world of knowledge.
Adoption
Adoption is a family common practice in Rajasthan. Those who do not have male
children usually want to adopt a male child to continue their line of
succession. In Rajasthan , the Rajas and Maharajas used to adopt male children
and make them heir apparent with the consent of the British Viceroy in India.
Most of the Maharajas of Jaipur were adopted sons.
The ceremony of adoption is quite simple. The elders of the family and the
Biradari (community) assemble at the adopter's residence. They become the panch
(elders of the family) at this ceremony. In their presence, the adopted boy is anointed with vermilion
and a coloured turban is placed on his head. A small dose of opium is given to
all the elders (the panches) to solemnize the actor of adoption. Later,
they sign the document of adoption along with the adopter, so that they can be
cited as witness in case of dispute. If, after adoption, the adopter's wife
gives birth to a son, the adopted child continues to have equal rights with the
real son.
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