Birth ceremonies/ Customs in Rajasthan :

The origin of the customs and traditions of Rajasthan is easily traceable to the cantos of the Vedas, wherein specific rites and ceremonies are prescribed in the minutest detail for the Samskaras in the life of every man and woman. The Customs and traditions of Rajasthan are the Rajasthani version of these Vedic rites and rituals. 

Customs Related to Birth :

Garbhadharan (Conception) :

In Rajasthan nine important ceremonies mark the birth of a child. The first is the Garbhadhan ceremony. When a bride conceives for the first time, it is considered a good omen for the family. Near and dear ones visit the girl and they sing together to the accompaniment of a dholak and express their unbounded joy.

Athmaasa (Eight Month of Conception ) :

When the girl enters the eighth month of her conception, the Athmaasa ceremony is performed to ensure the safety of the child in the moment. Relatives assemble at the girl's residence and pray to the family deity for the safe delivery and they go to the temple of their Istyadeva (favourite deity) to seek his blessings.

Jatkarama (Birth) Ceremony :

When a child is born, the birth ceremony is performed by feeding the baby with a spoonful of honey mixed with ghee. If the child is male, an elderly woman of the family beats a copper thali to announce the birth.

Namkaran (Naming Ceremony) :

The Namkaran ceremony is performed either on the eleventh or the one hundred and first day of the birth of the child. The family priest is invited to perform the ceremony. He recites mantras from the Vedas and gives his blessings to the child. A name is given to the child on this day.

Panghat Poojan(Well Worship) :

A few days after the birth of the child, the women of the family and the locality take the mother of the child to a nearby well, where they worship water. On their way to the well, the female procession sings in chorus in praise of gods and goddess.

Annapraashan (First Feeding) :

When a child of six months old, the Annapraashan ceremony is held. As the child is able to digest food he is given cooked rice, curd, ghee and honey as his first meal. In some families, the child is given kheer i.e., rice cooked with milk and sugar. The child is fed by his mother while Vedic hymns are recited and oblations of ghee poured into fire. Yagna is performed on this occasion and sweets are distributed to friends and relatives. The locality gather to sing ceremonial songs and the family members worship the family deity.

Upanayan (Initiation) :

This ceremony is performed when a boy is eight or nine years old. Upanayan literally means taking a boy to an acharya or guru for initiation into the life of  a Brahmachari. At this ceremony, the boy is clad in the garments of an ascetic. He is given a staff in his hand. A sacred thread (Yajnopavit) is hung over his left shoulder and diagonally down his right arm and he is expected to always wear it from that day onwards. The family priest whispers into the ears of the boy the most sacred verse from the hymns of the Rig Veda addressed to the Sun God, Savtiur. Known as the Gayatri Mantra, the sacred verse initiates the boy into the world of knowledge.

The Rajasthani people have religiously followed the dictum of the Vedas at every stage from birth till death. They have added some regional rites and rituals to these Vedic ceremonies. According to the Vedas every man has to perform certain ceremonies, known as Samskaras, from birth to death. Sixteen in number, they mainly relate to three major events in one's life i.e., birth, marriage and death.