Telugu Calendarతెలుగు క్యాలెండర్

The samskaras of life · షోడశ సంస్కారాలు

Samskaras are rites that mark the stages of life. Sixteen is the number usually quoted, though the lists vary between texts. Today most families observe only some of them.

Customs differ by family and region. Please treat this as a guide, and follow your family's practice or your priest where they differ.

Before birth

  1. Garbhadhanam · గర్భాదానం. Prayer for conceiving a child.
  2. Pumsavanam · పుంసవనం. Prayer for the unborn child's health.
  3. Seemantham · సీమంతం. A blessing for the mother during pregnancy, now often a family celebration.

Childhood

  1. Jatakarma · జాతకర్మ. The welcome at birth.
  2. Namakaranam · నామకరణం. The naming, known in Telugu homes as barasala · బారసాల. The calendar's "Born on this day" section shows the name letters for a birth star.
  3. Nishkramanam · నిష్క్రమణం. The baby's first outing.
  4. Annaprasana · అన్నప్రాశన. The first solid food.
  5. Chudakarana · చూడాకరణం. The first haircut, or puttu ventrukalu.
  6. Karnavedha · కర్ణవేధ. Ear piercing.
  7. Vidyarambham · విద్యారంభం. The start of learning, known as aksharabhyasam · అక్షరాభ్యాసం.

Youth

  1. Upanayanam · ఉపనయనం. The sacred thread ceremony.
  2. Vedarambham · వేదారంభం. The start of Vedic study.
  3. Keshanta · కేశాంతం. The first shave.
  4. Samavartanam · సమావర్తనం. The completion of studies.

Adult life

  1. Vivaham · వివాహం. Marriage.
  2. Antyeshti · అంత్యేష్టి. The last rites.

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