Namakarma Sanskar
*Nāmakaraṇa Sanskāra* is the Hindu naming ceremony, performed on the 11th day after a child’s birth. It involves prayers for the baby’s well-being, and a name is chosen based on astrology or family tradition.
The Namakarma Sanskar is usually held after the first 11 nights of a baby’s delivery. These 11 post-natal days are considered as a period during which the child is adjusting to the new environment and thus very vulnerable to infections. To ensure this, the mother and child are separated from the rest of the family during these 10 days where no one except a helper/ mothers mother is allowed to touch the baby or the mother. All festivals and events in the family and extended family are postponed by 11 nights. After those 11 nights, the house is decorated and sanctified for the ceremony. The mother and child are bathed traditionally and are prepared for the ceremony. This is most likely to avoid infecting baby or mother. Relatives and close friends are invited to be a part of this occasion and bless the child. Priests are called and an elaborate ritual takes place.