The Rite of Initiation and Naming Ceremony in Hindu Telugu Culture
Namakaranam and Annaprasana: In Telugu Hindu culture and tradition the naming ceremony of a baby is usually celebrated on the same day of the anna prasana (feeding the bay solid food for the first time). Cultural Reasons and Understanding: This sanskar/ tradition/ ceremony is performed on or after the sixth or seventh month as per the gender of the child, sixth or seven months for the boy child and odd months for the girl child. This ritualistic ceremony initiates the introduction of solid food for the baby. When the baby gets solid food for the first time, Mantras are recited and pujas are offered to the various deities. It is believed that, with Annaprasana , the flaws that arise due to intake of impure food when as a foetus are removed. It is also believed that Annaprasana ceremony will help to propitiate speech. The meaning of Annaprasana is anna =rice and prasana = to enter. Annaprasana is done after the Namakaran ceremony. The baby is given rice kheer or payasam