Annapraasanam
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The Annapraasanam ceremony is a significant Hindu ritual that celebrates a baby's transition from consuming only mother's milk to solid food. It's usually performed when the baby is around 6 months old. If you're planning to perform the Annaprashan puja for your child at a temple, here's a list of common items (Samagri) you might need:
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Rice: To offer the baby as the first solid food.
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Ghee (Clarified Butter): Used to mix with the rice symbolizing nourishment and prosperity.
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Milk: To mix with the rice, indicating the mother's milk.
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Honey: A small amount is sometimes mixed with the rice to signify the sweetness of life.
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Curds (Yogurt): Another option to mix with the rice.
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Gold Jewelry/Coins: Symbolizing wealth, prosperity, and blessings for the child's future.
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Silver Bowl and Spoon: Used for feeding the baby during the ceremony.
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Turmeric Powder: For applying a paste on the baby's body as a ritualistic cleanse.
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Kumkum (Red Vermilion Powder) and Sandalwood Paste: Used for tilak (forehead mark) and decoration.
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Incense Sticks and Camphor: For performing the aarti (ceremonial waving of light) during the puja.
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Flowers: Offered to the deity and used for decorating the altar.
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Fruits: Offered to the deity and distributed as prasad (blessed food) among the attendees.
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Coconut: Offered to the deity and later broken as part of the ritual.
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Sweets: As part of the prasad, and also for distributing to the attendees.
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Lamps/Diyas and Oil: Used for performing the aarti.
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Panchamrita: A mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar, used for bathing the deity.
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New Clothes for the Baby: Traditional attire for the baby to wear during the ceremony.
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Sacred Water: Usually taken from a nearby river, holy water source, or collected during a previous puja.
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Havan Kund (Fire Pit): If a fire ritual (havan) is planned.
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Roli (Red Powder) and Akshat (Unbroken Rice): For offering to the deity and applying tilak.
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Sweets, Fruits, and Dry Fruits for Offering: As part of the puja offerings.
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Bell: Used during the puja to ring and invoke positive energies.
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Cotton Wick and Oil/Ghee: For lighting the lamps or diyas.
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Traditional Puja Utensils: Plates, bowls, spoons, and other utensils for performing the rituals.
Remember that specific customs and traditions might vary from region to region and temple to temple, so it's a good idea to check with the temple authorities or a priest about any specific requirements or procedures they follow for the Annaprashan puja.