Anna Prashan Muhurta - Annaprashan Muhurat

In Hindu society, spiritualism and religious beliefs have been the guiding principles since time immemorial. They have always been linked with one’s growth and activities undertaken at different stages of life.

We carry out rituals as per our religious belief at a particular time. These ceremonies are known as Sanskaras. Their purpose is to give religious and social sanctity to the different stages of physical growth and development.

There are a total of sixteen Sanskaras. Most of the prenatal and childhood Sanskaras are done at a fixed time according to family traditions and customs.These are done on good Tithis and days in the bright half of the lunar month, that is the Shukla Paksha.

This is an important sanskaras of the childhood.This is the seventh sanskaras out of total sixteen in our Hindu tradition. This is the first time food is other than mother’s milk is given to an infant.

It is best to perform Anna Prashan Muhurta for a boy the first time on the 6th, 8th, 10th or 12th month since his birth and for a girl perform Anna Prashan Muhurta on the 5th, 7th or 9th month since her birth.

Shukla Paksh is best for Anna Prashan. You can also consider the Tithis like Prathma, Tritiya, Panchami, Saptami, Dashami from Krishna Paksha.

Var

Somvar(Monday), Budhwar(Wednesday), Brihaspativar(Thursday) and Shukravar(Friday) are auspicious days. Sunday, Tuesday and Saturday are avoided.

Nakshatra

According to Saptashalak Chakra, if cruel planets are present in Ashwini, Rohini, Mrigshira, Purnavasu, Uttarphalguni, Uttarshada, Uttarabhadrapad, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Anuradha, Abhijit, Shravan, Dhanistha, Revati, and birth Nakshatra then they should be prohibited, if there is no malefic influence than the above mentioned Nakshatras are good for Anna Prashana.

Ascendant

Anna Prashan Muharta should be performed on the ascendant of 2,3,4,5,7,9,10,11 houses, excluding 6th and 8th ascendant from the birth sign. It can also be performed if auspicious planets are present in 1st, 2nd and 7th house from the ascendant and auspicious planets have an aspect. Kaal devoid of Bhadra should be considered depending on the strength of Moon as per child’s sign in the first half of the day for Anna Prashan.

Chant the name of God and after worshipping the Lord of directions, child with Tilak applied on the forehead should be kept on the mother’s lap. The child must then be fed honey, ghee, milk, curd and Kheer as the mother prays to the God.

Tithis

2,3,5,7,10,13 and 15th Tithis are suitable. Rikta Tithis 4,9,14 should not be taken. 12, 30 ie Amavasya and even Nanda Tithis 1,6 and 11 should be avoided.

Astrology says the 3, 5, and 7 Tara is not auspicious. Bhadra Tithi is very inauspicious for this occasion. The days which have inauspicious combination should be strictly avoided for carrying out this ceremony. There should be adequate Moon strength in transit. In other words, Chandra Shuddhi and Tara shuddhi must also be ensured. The Moon Shuddhi is the most important.