Annaprasana (the first feeding of solid food) is the seventh of the Shodasha Samskaras, marking the moment a baby first tastes solid food — traditionally cooked rice. It is a tender milestone of nourishment and blessing, celebrated joyfully with family.

When Is It Performed?

  • Usually around the 6th month — often the 6th month for boys and an even month for girls in some traditions, on an auspicious day.
  • Choose a shubha muhurtam via a panchang or your purohit; the baby should be healthy and ready for solids on the day.

Items (Samagri)

  • Cooked rice / sweet payasam (kheer) as the first food, in a silver bowl/spoon if available
  • A lamp, turmeric, kumkum, flowers and a small kalash
  • Fruits, sweets and prasadam; optionally a tray of symbolic items for the playful "choosing" custom (book, coin, pen, etc.)

Step-by-Step Vidhi

  1. Clean the space; light a lamp and invoke Lord Ganesha — "Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha".
  2. Elders/purohit perform a brief sankalpa; offer the food first to the deity (naivedyam).
  3. An elder (often the father or maternal uncle) gives the baby the first small taste of rice/payasam with blessings.
  4. Some families place a tray of symbolic objects and let the baby reach for one — a playful custom, not a prediction.
  5. Distribute prasadam and celebrate.

Note: customs and timing vary by region and family tradition — follow your elders or purohit.

How NRIs Perform It Abroad

  • A simple home version with a lamp, the first-rice feeding by an elder, and blessings is fully acceptable.
  • Arrange a purohit in person or online; source a silver spoon/bowl and samagri from Indian stores.
  • Involve grandparents over video call to bless the child.

See also the 16 Samskaras guide and Namakaranam.

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Frequently asked questions

When is Annaprasana performed?

It is usually done around the 6th month, on an auspicious day chosen via a panchang or purohit. In some traditions it is the 6th month for boys and an even month for girls, and the baby should be healthy and ready for solids.

What is the first food given at Annaprasana?

The baby is given cooked rice or sweet payasam (kheer) as the first food, ideally in a silver bowl and spoon if available. It is offered to the deity as naivedyam first.

What is the tray of objects custom at Annaprasana?

Some families place a tray of symbolic items such as a book, coin and pen and let the baby reach for one. It is a playful custom, not a prediction.

Who feeds the baby at Annaprasana?

An elder, often the father or maternal uncle, gives the baby the first small taste of rice or payasam with blessings.

How can NRIs perform Annaprasana abroad?

A simple home version with a lamp, the first-rice feeding by an elder and blessings is fully acceptable. A purohit can be arranged in person or online, and grandparents can bless the child over video call.

Which mantra is used to begin the Annaprasana ceremony?

The space is cleaned, a lamp is lit and Lord Ganesha is invoked with Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha. Elders or the purohit then perform a brief sankalpa.