Sanskaaras, a sanskrit word, meaning enhancement of good habits and discarding of bad ones. For hindus, particularly those living away from India, play a significant role in establishing hindu identity. They provide hindu values to a child as being raised among multiple cultures and receiving mixed messages about cardinal principles such as Faith God, Body, Soul and Mind and their interrelationships. They are designed to be a bridge between vedic human goal and activities that help reach the goal.

Solah Sanskars (16 Sacraments)

Following are the 16 sanskaras observed in the hindu family.

1. Garbhadhana (Conception):

This is the first Sanskar for a new soul taking life with hindu parents. A couple, when ready for progeny, prays to GOD and their ancestors for gifting them with a worthy descendent. The parents to be, at conception and thereafter, are guided to maintain peaceful and loving state of mind and the mother is advised to be watchful of taking healthy food.

2. Punsavana (Fetus protection):

This Sanskar is performed during three to four months of pregnancy to protect the new life growing in mother’s womb. The priest recites Vedic hymns to invoke divine qualities in the child. Family members are advised to pay extra care to the mother as she is sustaining a new life.

3. Simanta (Satisfying the cravings of the pregnant mother):

This Sanskar is like a baby shower, performed during the seventh month of pregnancy when prayers are offered to God for the healthy physical and mental growth of the child. The mother is offered raw rice, variety of fruits and delicious foods by married ladies. Immediate Family is guided to provide utmost care to keep the mother happy

4. Jatakarma (Child birth):

This Sanskar, traditionally observed immediately upon birth. is now a days combined with Namkaran Sanskar described below On the sixth day of the child’s birth., Shashthi pujan., worship of Goddess Shashthi, the protector of children,is conducted. Entire house is cleaned and aired so that the child gets a clean and clear environment.

5. Namakaran (Naming the child):

This ceremony is performed to announce the name of the child. The father whispers the name to the baby’s right ear. The name is identified with the help of a priest with calculation of Birth star (Nakshatra) and the position of the moon at the time of child's birth.

6. Nishkramana (Taking the child outdoors for the first time):

This Sanskar is performed on fortieth day from birth of the child. The child is taken outdoors and exposed to the sunlight. The sun is invoked to bless the child with wisdom and knowledge and to eradicate the darkness of thought.

7. Annaprasana (Giving solid food):

This Sanskar at six months of age, prescribes for the child to begin taking “Anna” This is also around the time of appearance of first tooth. First “Anna” is in form of sweet rice pudding. The ceremony is conducted in presence of priest and family members.

8. Mundan (tonsure):

This Sanskar is performed when the child's first hair is removed by shaving and nails are trimmed. Often, a tuft of the hair is left unshaved on the soft part of th head. This is also known as 'Mundan'. Lord Brahma and Lord Prajapati is invoked during the process of tonsure. Some scriptures prescribe for the ceremony to be performed on an auspicious day after completion of one year. Sometime this rite is performed with Upanayan Sanskar .

9. Karnavedha (Ear piercing):

This Sanskar involves piercing the child's ear lobes during 3rd or 5th years of age (Katyayan Grihya Sutra) while the child’s skin is still soft .Aims at ornamenting the child. involves Surya worship by priest.

10. Upanayana (Sacred thread ceremony):

This ceremony performed at age of 7-15 initiates the child into an intellectual and spiritual journey. This becomes the second birth of the man. The mother gives birth to the child; this is natural birth. Upanayana is when the Guru initiates him by giving ‘Gayatri Mantra’, this prayer for Buddhi is considered a second birth of the child. Gayatri Mantra is given to the child who promises to lead a good human life as per the rules of Dharmashastra. “Upanayana”, in Sanskrit etymologically means “the act of leading or perusing ahead”. because it introduces 'the sacred vision' or 'new vision', the vision to see things in a proper way and to know 'wrong' and 'right' to the brahmachari. Therefore, Upnayana is essential to handle household life. 'Yagyopaveet' (sacred thread) after sworning on child body indicates that the child is qualified to perform all the traditional Vedic rites including Pitra, Kriya and Tarpan for his forefathers.

Yagyopaveet is the embodiment of three forms of one Supreme Being, Rajoguna Brahma (the creator), Satoguna Vishnu (the restorator) and Tamoguna Shiva (the destroyer). The knot is called Brahma-Knot, the Lord who controls these three faces of nature. It also symbolizes the three duties for three debts.

1. Pitra: Debt of parents and ancestors,
2. Manushya: Debt of society and humanity,
3. Dev: Debt of Nature and God. The twist in the thread symbolizes strength and honesty.

The Upanayan ceremony is undertaken under six different phases and are
Puja: worshipping the Gods,
Havan: sacrifice,
Shiksha: teaching the morality and duties in life,
Bhiksha: begging as a renounced Brahmchari of Gurukula. Teacher's teaching has made him renounced minded that he has accepted a life of Vairagee,
Diksha: giving the most sacred Gayatri Mantra to the child, and
Blessings: child is bless by all Gods, Goddesses, ancestors, and elders

11. Vedarambha (Study of Vedas):

Its literary meaning is to “begin the study”. It is a milestone in in the life of a child as it introduces the child to the formal education. This rite allows a male child to accept the “Gurukulas” or the hermitage. The “Gurukukas” remains the home for the brahmacharis. Guru remains the only source of knowledge. The Guru teaches the scripts, the Gayatri Mantra, the vedas, the ethics and the logics for leading a peaceful life in future. Every study begins after invocation to Goddess Saraswati and god Ganesh.

12. Samavartana (Returning home after completion of education):

This Sanskar is associated with the end of formal education and generally performed at the age of about 25 years. (Taking the ceremonial bath after finishing Vedic study and returning from the Gurukul/hermitage). Anybody completing the rites is the embodiment of knowledge and the icon of wisdom. The student desires to ask the teacher for any gift (Guru Dakshina) to which the student is indebted to pay over his life time. He is now eligible to enter into the householder stage, and considered as an eligible bachelor sought of marriage.

13. Vivaha (Marriage):

Vivah, a sanskrit word, literally meaning acceptance of responsibilities between two through a specially prescribed process. The process is one of the major sanskaras, for a Hindu individual to enter into a lifelong commitment as a wife or husband. The wedding ceremony is solemnized in accordance with the ancient and sacred Hindu scriptures, the Vedas. It is performed by acknowledged Hindu priest(s) with the presence of the bride, the bridegroom, their respective families, relatives, and friends and Agni (Hindu deity of fire) invoked to be the divine witness. The priests chant the Vedic Mantras and guide the couple and the family through various steps to unite the wedding couple and the families for harmonious existence.

It is the strongest partnership established between a man and a woman, to progress toward progeny, wealth, health and spirituality.

Vivah Sanskar is conducted in the following Steps:

1. Baraat (Groom's precession):The groom arrives with family and friends to the venue for the wedding. Music, dancing, and festivities by the party set the stage for the wedding events.
2. Milani: The parents of the bride greet and welcome the groom and his family at the entrance of the Venue. Kumkum (vermillion powder) is placed on the groom's forehead for good luck and an Aarti (ritual involving oil lamps) is conducted by the bride’s mother. Groom’s parents and elders are recognized and welcomed by exchange of garlands and hugs. After the Milni, the groom and his family are escorted to the Mandap (altar) where the wedding takes place.
3. Jai Mala (Garland Exchange):Escorted by her brothers, cousins, and friends, the bride is led to the Mandap where the bride and groom exchange floral garlands, signifying their acceptance, respect and love for one another.
4. Invocations and Prayers:The ceremony commences with invocation of Lord Ganesh and other demigods through chanting by the priest(s) and worship by the couple and families. The bride’s parents offer Yogurt, Honey and Ghee to the groom as an expression of welcome and respect. The groom accepts the “Madhupark” graciously and promises to cultivate sweetness in all his dealings and speech.
5. Gotra Uchcharan (Ancestral Recitation), Kanyadaan (Giving away the bride), and Granthibandhan (Tying the knot): For Gotra-Uchcharan, the priest(s) recites the family lineage of the bride and bridegroom. Upon Vedic chanting and worships invoking divinity in the bride and the bridegroom, the bride's father hands over his daughter to the groom by placing her right hand into the right hand of the groom.
   For Hast Milap, the palms of the bride and groom are joined as the priest recites Mantras.
   Granthibandhan, the scarves worn by both the groom and bride are knotted by the groom's sister, symbolizing the unity and her support. To assure each other and the families, the couple exchanges vows for a respectable, loving and harmonious life.
6. Vivaha Homa:Agni is lit, and Devas(demigods) are invited through chanting by priest(s) . Together, all constitute witnesses to the ceremony of commitment of the couple to one another.
7. Laja Homa:The bride's brother pours rice into the bride's hands. Bride shares the rice with the groom and together they offer the rice to Agni symbolizing the brother’s continued support to the couple.
8. Agni Pradakshina (Circling the Fire):The couple circles the Agni four times, each circle representing the fulfillment of one of the four goals of their life. These are: Dharm (moral sense, responsibility, and duty), Arth (pursuit of wealth and fame), Kaam (pursuit of love and progeny), and Moksh (pursuit of knowledge of Self and Divinity). The first three circles are led by the bride; the last is led by the groom.
   Halfway around, during each circle around Agni, the bride steps on a stone providing her commitment to remain steadfast in maintaining the values of the family.
9. Sapta Padi (The Seven Steps): The bridegroom holding bride’s hand takes seven steps; each step symbolizes a mutual value commitment.
   1. Commitment for joint decision-making the household & respect for elders,
   2. Commitments to grow; mentally and spiritually together,
   3. Commitment to increase the family wealth by righteous means and use it properly,
   4. Commitment for healthy, virtuous, honest, and brave generations of progeny,
   5. Commitment to acquire knowledge, happiness, and harmony,
   6. Commitment for self-restrain, longevity, and charity,
   7. Commitment for loyal companionship and understanding of self.
10. Sun/Tara Darshan:Depending upon time of wedding, the newlywed couple is taken outdoors for Sun darshan for day wedding and Tara(star) darshan for night wedding.
11. Mangal Sutra, Sindoor, and/or Ring Exchange (Wedding Symbols):The groom garlands the bride with a “Mangal Sutra” – a necklace of gold and black beads as a symbol of their marriage. He then places sindoor (red vermillion powder) at the parting of the bride's hair signifying that she is now a married woman. Certain Families add the ceremonial ring Exchange which can be done at this time.
12. Offering of Sweet Among Newly Weds and their Immediate Family:The newlyweds and their respective parents offer a sweet to each other as a symbol of greeting and assuring each other of lasting sweetness in relationships.
13. Ashirvaad (Blessings):The couple seeks blessings from the Priest(s), the Parents and Elders for happiness, prosperity, and a long healthy married life.
14. Ceremony performed by: Acharya- Bibhudutta Mishra ji.

14. Vanaprastha (Preparation for Renunciation):

As a Hindu approaches age of 60 (50 in earlier times), Vanprastha, a voluntarily withdrawal from worldly activities is suggested by the Scriptures. Scholars recommend this preparation for a man should be when a grandson has taken birth. Simpler lifestyle and focus on service to community and country are recommended. This is in preparation for Sanyas ,(complete renunciation of worldly matters), when the entire focus of an individual needs to be for spiritual progress and deeper appreciation for life.

15. Sannyasa (Renunciation):

Creation blesses each individual with a natural force that draws a person toward withdrawal from the world. As the body weakens and the experience of family and friends become saturated. all worldly desires are exhausted and isolation becomes a joy.

16.Antyesthi (Final Rites and Cremation):

Upon death, this final Sanskara is performed by the progeny of the deceased Hindu. Depending on the age of the deceased, body is either buried or burnt (a young body of a baby, is typically buried whereas an adult body is cremated/burnt). Vedic scriptures provide that human body is made up of five natural elements. The main purpose of the cremation is to return the body back to nature and to the originating five elements.