The foundation of Hinduism is based on Vedic and cultural rituals. In Hinduism, rituals have a huge role to play. In ancient times, the sages and saints have described rituals as very special for elevating human life. The ancient culture of Hinduism is based on rituals. Similarly, a total of 16 rituals have been described in a person’s life, which take place from his womb to old age.
If any work is to be done in human life, it is started with a ritual, that is, rituals are important in Hinduism for doing any work. 16 rituals have been described in detail in religious texts. Let us know what are those 16 rituals.
1. Garbhadhan Sanskar
2. Punsavan Sanskar
3. Simantonnayan Sanskar
4. Jaatkaram Sanskar
5. Namkaran Sanskar
6. Nishkraman Sanskar
7. Annaprashan Sanskar
8. Mundan/Chudakarm Sanskar
9. Vidyarambh Sanskar
10. Karnavedha Sanskar
11. Yagyopaveet Sanskar
12. Vedarambh Sanskar
13. Keshanth Sanskar
14. Samavartan Sanskar
15. Marriage Sanskar
16. Funeral Sanskar/Shraddha Sanskar
To know the importance of Sanskars, we talked to Shashank Shekhar Sharma, an expert in astrology, and he told that 16 Sanskars have been explained in detail in the scriptures. Sanskar shows our personal form. If your behavior is good towards other people, then people say that your sanskars are very good. The sanskars of respecting others that you have got are linked to your family.
1. Garbhadhan Sanskar
The first sanskar is Garbhadhan Sanskar in which your mother carried you in her womb before you were born.
2. Punsavan Sanskar
The second sanskar is Punsavan Sanskar which is done 3 months after conception. In this, after 3 months of conception, when the structure of the child starts forming, the parents perform this sanskar with Vedic mantras for their good life.
3. Simantonnayan Sanskar
The third sanskar is Simantonnayan Sanskar which is done in the sixth month of pregnancy. From the sixth month to the eighth month, there is a high possibility of abortion, that is why this sanskar is done. This sanskar is done to protect the child in the womb and its mother.
4. Jaatkaram Sanskar
The fourth sanskar is Jaatkaram Sanskar which is done during the birth of the child. In this sanskar, the father of the child puts ghee or honey in his mouth with his finger.
5. Namkaran Sanskar
The fifth sanskar is Namkaran Sanskar. In this sanskar, the name of the child is given on the basis of his horoscope. 6. Nishkraman Sanskar
The sixth sanskar is Nishkraman Sanskar. In this, when the child becomes 4 to 6 months old, he is taken out of the house and taken under the influence of the Sun and Moon.
7. Annaprashan Sanskar
In the seventh sanskar, Annaprashan Sanskar, when the child becomes 6 months old, he is offered food.
8. Mundan/Chudakarma Sanskar
The eighth sanskar is Mundan/Chudakarma Sanskar. In this sanskar, the child’s head is shaved.
9. Vidyarambh Sanskar
The ninth sanskar is Vidyarambh Sanskar, in which the child is introduced to education for the first time. In this sanskar, the child is sent to school to study.
10. Karnavedha Sanskar
The tenth sanskar is Karnavedha Sanskar, which is also called Karna Chhedhan Sanskar. Ears are our hearing gates. Diseases are cured by ear piercing and the power to understand something increases.
11. Yagyopaveet Sanskar
Yagyopaveet Sanskar is also known as Upanayana Sanskar. In this Sanskar, the sacred thread is worn.
12. Vedarambh Sanskar
In Vedarambh Sanskar, the child goes to Gurukul etc. and studies Vedas and Upanishads. With the changing times, instead of going to Gurukul, he goes to school for studies.
13. Keshanth Sanskar
In Keshanth Sanskar, the child used to give up his hair. In olden times, the children studying in Gurukul used to give up their hair after completing their education.
14. Samavartan Sanskar
In Samavartan Sanskar, the child gets education from Gurukul and bids farewell to it and goes to social life. After completing his education, he lives his social life.
15. Vivah Sanskar
In Vivah Sanskar, the person steps from social life to married life. In this Sanskar, the person gets married and lives his married life.
16. Funeral Sanskar
Funeral Sanskar/Shraddha Sanskar is the last Sanskar in which the person is cremated.
A total of 16 Sanskars have been mentioned in religious texts, in which a person’s life is from conception to death.