"Annaprashana" is a ceremony of Hindu families, performed to mark a baby`s first introduction to solid food after it`s birth. The term "anna" means `food` mainly `boiled rice` and "Prasana" means `eating` specifically `the first feeding of a child`. This ceremony is done when the baby is of six to eight months old if it is a boy and in case of girl, it should at the age of seven to nine months age. It is done at that age because at that period the child gains the strength to digest the cereals and rice. In some special cases, where the child is found to be very weak, the time can be postponed further.
"Annaprashana" cannot be performed before the child becomes four months old since then it is not capable enough to digest any solid food. It cannot be done after one year of the child also because the late additional nourishment can slow down its normal growth. In some places, "Annaprashana" is performed only after the child gets its first teeth, when it is sure that the child will be able to digest solid food. In the Bengali culture, `payash` (kheer) is first offered to the God and the ancestor of the child are offered `anna-jal` and then child is fed the `payash`.
Earlier, the `namakaran` ceremony of the baby is to coincide with this "Annaprashana" ceremony. In those days, few rites like `homa`, `vriddhi` (worship of ancestors and deities) were also done during "Annaprashana". But now, it has been simplified and many people only offer few grains of dried rice to the Lord Jagannath of Puri and then these are given to the mouth of the baby. The religious part has diminished now a days and it has become more celebration like any other function.
This "samskara" is actually for the physical need of the child for more nourishment and strength. The "Annaprashana" is performed on a definite good `muhurta` selected by any astrologer. Then friends and relatives are invited to bless the child with their good wishes. The food, which will be served to the child, is prepared with chanting of Vedic mantras. The father of the child gives the first morsel to the child when the priest recites Mahavyahritis. The father places the child on `kusha grass` and offers his prayer to the `Agni`. He prays that the child becomes well versed and strong. He also prays that the child gets a long peaceful life and earns fame.
It is always kept in notice that the food offered during "Annaprashana" can be easily digested. So, different types food with different flavours is served to the child. A group of people suggests serving the child a mixture of honey, yogurt and ghee. Another group suggests meat, which can be of any animal, whereas bird is kept in the priority list. It is believed that the fish gives swiftness to the child. But Markandeya Purana advocates for serving ghee and honey.
The rice to be served to the child on the day of "Annaprashana" is prepared in a special way along with the chanting of mantras. Rice is washed with chanting of a prescribed mantra, then cleaned and cooked well with ghee in a fixed quantity so that it mixes well with the rice. After the rice is cooked, it is placed in `Homashthali`, the pot for `Homa`. Then the rice is distributed in the dishes of `Yajmana`, the `Purohita`, the `Ritvij` and the priests along with the following five mantras.
Now, the Yajmana of "Annaprashana" mixes little quality of curd, honey and ghee. It is then added to the rice that was left after the offering. Now, this particular rice is fed to the child with this mantra from Yajurveda.
"Om Annapateannasya No Dehyanamivasya Shushminah
Pra Pra Dataaram Taarisha Oorjvam No Dhehi Dwipade Chatushpade
It means "O Lord of plenty (of food)! Vouchsafe us a share of food that invigorates us, and brings no sickness. O Lord, thou art our leader. Grant us nourishment (maintenance) both for bipeds and for quadrupeds."
After this, the "Annaprashana" ritual progresses with the giving of blessings to the child by parents and also by the priest as well as by all the elders. The blessing is given along with chanting of this line, "Twam Annapatihi Annavo Vardhamano Bhooyaaha", which means "O child, May you be endowed by God´s grace with Anna (grains or food). May you grow in strength and may you live a long life."
According to Markandeya Purana, during "Annaprashana", the child is left among some articles and tools, which are used in various crafts occupations. There is an ancient belief that the article the child picks up first will decide his future occupation. After this, the Brahmins and the invited relatives are served with the specially prepared food for the occasion. As a symbol of gratitude, the family gives gift to the Brahmins.
The child is dressed in a `dhoti-kurta` during the "Annaprashana", which is mainly done among Bengalis. Before that the child is bathed by rubbing with haldi` and mustard oil. A yellow mark of `haldi` and sandalwood is put on the forehead of the child as a ritualistic decoration. The child needs to wear a body-cloth named "Uttariya" on his upper body. On the head of the child, a `Topor` is put on, which is also worn by grooms during marriage. This `Topor` is made of shola, a plant material, which is very light. A flower garland is also given to the child.
In case of the "Annaprashana" of a girl child, she is dressed with a red Benarasi saree and blouse as well as a transparent `ornaa` (dupatta). The `Topor` is replaced with a `Mukut`, which is made of the same material but made in a more attractive way.
When the feeding of the child finishes in "Annaprashana", the mouth and the hands of the child are washed properly by singing the Vamedevyagana as described in the end of samanya prakarna. Then, parents of the child and the old ladies and gentleman bless him with the sentence: "O Child! May you by God`s grace become master of corn, eater of consumer of corn, grow in strength and life." Thus the "Annaprashana", ceremony ends here.
