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Namakarana - Naming ceremony

Naming a baby is a religious ceremony for the Hindus. In Kerala, usually a baby boy is named on the 27th day after birth and a girl is named on the 28th day after birth. The right day for the ceremony is defined by Gruhyasutras and there are different opinions for the same. Even these dates were to be postponed if there is any lack of religious propriety as in events like a Sankranti, Sraddha ceremony etc. On that day, the baby is given a bath and a black thread is tied around the waist. There will be a feast and distribution of sweets like "payasam". Later, either the father, uncle, grandma or the most senior person of a household whispers thrice into the right ear of the baby, his or her name for the first time.

But according to Sastras, the naming ceremony is supposed to be conducted on the 11th day or 101the day. Different kinds of pujas and homams are conducted on that day. After whispering the name three times into the ear of the baby, the person who conducts the naming ceremony explains the meaning of the name to the assembled people. He also tells the baby that from that day he/she will be called by that name and may the Gods bless to bring glory to that name. After the name is announced, each of the assembled people calls the baby by that name and offers blessings.
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Comments

  1. Jen KumarMay 18, 2009 at 9:43 AM

    Nice recap.
    Why is a black thread put on the waist? I noticed that many kids have this until five or six years or more.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Raman BVMay 18, 2009 at 9:01 PM

    The ceremony on the 28th day is called Irupathi Ettu Kettu/Aranjanam Kettal in Kerala. Irupathiettu = 28, kettu=knot, Aranjanam=thread/ornament around the waist. Usually one in black cotton and the other a chain in gold are interwined and tied around the waist of the child. This thread is called 'Aranjanam'.

    According to some, it is to ward of evil spirits/evil eye. It is considered to be protective. Aranjanam is worn by people of all age groups and the function of it may be just ornamental or religious. Sometimes it is kept in puja by a tantri and special karmas performed to give it spiritual powers to protect the individual wearing it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. coralcrueOctober 17, 2012 at 9:07 PM

    Is there any way to subscribe to your posts?
    coralcrue@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Raman BVOctober 18, 2012 at 6:58 AM

    Move the cursor to the right side of this website to get a sliding panel with the subscribe button on the bottom. Thanks for reading.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousApril 18, 2013 at 10:16 AM

    My boyfriend is from Kerala and he still wears the Aranjanam, but the one he was wearing recently broke. I know it means a lot for him and I would like to give him another one, but I was wondering if its only something that family can do, or if its appropriate for me to do so. I also have no idea where to obtain it (we live in the US). Help me out?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousMay 9, 2013 at 1:56 PM

      indian jewellers can make it for you. look out for desi shops. generally done by family.You can become family :-)

      Delete
  6. shanti om shantiFebruary 3, 2014 at 12:15 PM

    In my knowledge the Aranjanam is tied also to protect the baby in such a way that the very limited qty of milk or solids that the baby eat to remain in the stomach without being passed away as urine or stool to give good health to the baby............ as told by my mom.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMarch 14, 2014 at 11:29 PM

    i have a doubt i have heard at so many places that noolukettu is on 28th day for boys can u suggest the reference regarding 27th day for boy and 28 for girl if there is a difference in both boys and girls why is it so

    ReplyDelete
  8. wolverineJune 21, 2014 at 4:08 PM

    Exactly Anonymous. In my place it is 27th for baby boy and 28th for baby girl. But wiki suggests the opposite at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naming_ceremony#Hinduism

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousFebruary 3, 2017 at 2:37 PM

    This ceremony is done at whose place ? Usually the mother and the baby stays at the Mothers parents house for a couple of months after the child birth, So the arnjaanam ceremony is done at the baby's father's home or the mother's parents house?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 8, 2019 at 2:58 PM

      It is done at the mother's place in most cases as pregnant women stay at their homes in the later stages of pregnancies. After few months of delivery, the mother and the child are taken to the father's home which in itself is a ritual. However in exceptional cases the naming ceremony is done at the father's place too.

      Delete
  10. UnknownMarch 31, 2017 at 3:21 PM

    Its either 27th day or 29th day. i believe we wont tie the aranjanam on the 28th day because the birthstar repeats on 28th day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousSeptember 24, 2018 at 6:57 PM

      This is exactly what my astrologer informed me. Either 27th day or 29th day is when the Aranjanam is tied for the baby.

      Delete
  11. GST Refunds DelhiJanuary 27, 2018 at 1:51 PM

    I don’t know how should I give you thanks! I am totally stunned by your article. You saved my time. Thanks a million for sharing this article.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dhanya SanoopApril 26, 2019 at 10:42 AM

    I want to know about the real date of noolukettu...somebody told me that if it is a baby girl,the naming ceremony conducted in the 27th day after birth..will you please give me the details

    ReplyDelete
  13. LeoMay 11, 2021 at 12:16 AM

    Who bring aranjanam to veremony?

    ReplyDelete
  14. LeoMay 11, 2021 at 12:17 AM

    Please help. Who bring aranjanam to ceremony

    ReplyDelete

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