Eight Rites of Passage

Ashta Samskara

SACRAMENTS ARE PERFORMED TO CELEBRATE AND SANCTIFY LIFE'S CRUCIAL JUNCTURES, INFORM FAMILY AND COMMUNITY, AND SECURE INNER-WORLD BLESSINGS. HERE ARE EIGHT OF THE ESSENTIAL RITES. OTHERS RITES HONOR COMING OF AGE, THE STAGES OF CHILD-BEARING AND ATTAINING THE WISDOM YEARS.

Under an elaborate ceremonial tent, a groom holds his bride's hand as they take the traditional seven steps round the sacred fire during their wedding rites, called vivaha samskara.Priests officiate, chanting from the Vedas and offering oblations into the fire to bless the couple.

Namakarana
This is the Hindu name-giving ceremony, performed in the home or the temple 11 to 41 days after birth. The father whispers the auspicious new name in the infant's right ear.

Anna Prasana
The first feeding of solid food is a sacred event performed by the father in the temple or home. The choice of food offered to a child at this crucial time is said to help determine his or her destiny.

Karnavedha
The ear-piercing ceremony, given to both boys and girls, performed in the temple or the home, generally on the child's first birthday. Health and wealth benefits derive from this ancient rite.

Chudakarana
The head is shaven and smeared with sandalwood paste in this rite performed in the temple or home before age four. It is a very happy day for the child. The shaven head denotes purity and egolessness.

Vidyarambha
The formal beginning of primary education. In this rite, performed in the home or temple, the child scribes the first letter of the alphabet in a tray of unbroken, uncooked, saffron rice.

Upanayana
The ceremonial investment of the "sacred thread" and inititation into Vedic study, performed in the home or temple, usually between the ages of 9 and 15, after which a youth is considered "twice born."

Vivaha
The marriage ceremony, performed in a temple or wedding hall around the sacred homa fire. Lifetime vows, Vedic prayers and seven steps before God and Gods consecrate the union of husband and wife.

Antyeshti
The funeral rite includes preparation of the body, cremation, home-cleansing and dispersal of ashes. The purifying fire releases the soul from this world that it may journey unhindered to the next.