Sixteen
Sanskars are
Hindu Consecrations; like daily routine, the routine of
the life is also regular. Studying the human life since,
its birth till death. These beautiful rules, formed by
our great sages, are rules for the routine of life.
Consecrations are the major part of this routine of
life.
These sixteen
consecrations are as follows -
Parental
1.Garbhdhan
Sanskar - which is performed just after
marriage and before pregnancy to have a good baby.
2.Punsvan sanskar -which is performed
just after pregnancy of second or third month.
3.Seemantonnayan sanskar -in 4th, 6th
or in 8th month of pregnancy.
4.Jaatkaram Sanskar -(birth ceremony)
just after birth of a baby i.e., the same day.
5.Naamkaran sanskar - (naming ceremony)
after 101 days of birth in which name of the baby is
announced.
Childhood
6.Nishkraman
sanskar-when the mother and baby comes out of
the house. In the 3rd or 4th month to travel or to go
anywhere.
7.Annprasahn sanskar- in the 6th month
of the baby after birth on the same day of birth. In
this sanskar the baby is allowed to take solid food
because up to 5th month baby had been taking milk/water
only.
8. Churakaram sanskar - Mundan sanskar
in the first or third year.
9. Karanvedh sanskar- ear piercing
ceremony.
Educational
10.Upnayan
sanskar -allowing baby to go school first time.
11.Vedaarambh sanskar -to start study
of Vedas in 6to 8 years.
12. Samavartan sanskar- the baby has
attained the knowledge of Vedas. It is performed in the
age of fourteen years.
Marriage
13.Vivah
sanskar - marriage ceremony.
14.Vanprasth sanskar - in the age of 51
plus.
15.Sanyas sanskar - in the age of 75
plus or at any age when anyone becomes ascetic.
Death
16.Anteshti
sanskar- When death is imminent, a small piece
of gold, tulsi leaf and drops of Ganga water are put in
the mouth of the person on the death bed. The body is
laid on the ground with the head towards the north. The
eldest son generally performs the last rites before
which he takes a purificatory bath amidst the chanting
of mantras. The dead body is washed, perfumed and
wrapped in a new white cloth and decked with flowers.
For ten days following death, food is not prepared at
home and relatives and friends take the responsibility
of getting food for the family.
