Annaprashan Muhurat 2018

Read this article to know all Annaprashan Muhurat in 2018 and also know information about auspicious date, time and Nakshatra for performing the rituals of Annaprashan ceremony (Sanskar).

Date	Tithi	Day	Comments
15 Mar	Trayodashi	Thursday	In Dhanishtha Nakshatra
2 Apr	Dvitiya	Monday	In Swati Nakshatra
5 Apr	Panchami	Thursday	In Anuradha Nakshatra
11 Apr	Dashami	Wednesday	In Dhanishtha Nakshatra
12 Apr	Ekadashi	Thursday	In Shatabisha Nakshatra
13 Apr	Dwadashi	Friday	In Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra
20 Apr	Panchami	Friday	In Mrigashira Nakshatra
23 Apr	Ashtami	Wednesday	In Pushya Nakshatra
27 Apr	Dwadashi	Friday	In Hastha Nakshatra
2 May	Dvitiya	Wednesday	In Anuradha Nakshatra
3 May	Tritiya	Thursday	In Mool Nakshatra
7 May	Saptami	Monday	In Shravana Nakshatra
10 May	Dashami	Thursday	In Shatabisha Nakshatra
11 May	Ekadashi	Friday	In Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra
14 Jun	Prathama	Thursday	In Mrigashira Nakshatra
15 Jun	Dvitiya	Friday	In Punarvasu Nakshatra
20 Jun	Ashtami	Wednesday	In Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra
22 Jun	Dashami	Friday	In Hastha Nakshatra
25 Jun	Trayodashi	Monday	In Anuradha Nakshatra
28 Jun	Poornima	Thursday	In Mool Nakshatra
29 Jun	Prathama	Friday	In Uttarashada Nakshatra
5 Jul	Saptami	Thursday	In Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra
6 Jul	Ashtami	Friday	In Revati Nakshatra
11 Jul	Trayodashi	Wednesday	In Mrigashira Nakshatra
18 Jul	Shashti	Wednesday	In Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra
19 Jul	Saptami	Thursday	In Hastha Nakshatra (Before Bhadra)
20 Jul	Ashtami	Friday	In Chitra Nakshatra (After Bhadra)
23 Jul	Ekadashi	Monday	In Anuradha Nakshatra (Before Bhadra)
27 Jul	Poornima	Friday	In Uttarashada Nakshatra
30 Jul	Dvitiya	Monday	In Dhanishtha Nakshatra
2 Aug	Panchami	Thursday	In Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra
3 Aug	Shashti	Friday	In Revati Nakshatra (Before Bhadra)
8 Aug	Dwadashi	Wednesday	In Mrigashira Nakshatra
9 Aug	Trayodashi	Thursday	In Punarvasu Nakshatra
13 Aug	Dvitiya	Monday	In Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra
15 Aug	Panchami	Wednesday	In Hastha/Chitra Nakshatra
16 Aug	Shashti	Thursday	In Chitra Nakshatra
17 Aug	Saptami	Friday	In Swati Nakshatra
22 Aug	Ekadashi	Wednesday	In Uttarashada Nakshatra
27 Aug	Prathama	Monday	In Shatabisha Nakshatra
29 Aug	Tritiya	Wednesday	In Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra
31 Aug	Panchami	Friday	In Ashwini Nakshatra
3 Sep	Ashtami	Monday	In Rohini Nakshatra
5 Sep	Dashami	Wednesday	In Punarvasu Nakshatra
6 Sep	Ekadashi	Thursday	In Punarvasu Nakshatra
7 Sep	Dwadashi	Friday	In Pushya Nakshatra
10 Sep	Prathama	Monday	In Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra
12 Sep	Tritiya	Wednesday	In Chitra Nakshatra
19 Sep	Dashami	Wednesday	In Uttarashada Nakshatra
20 Sep	Ekadashi	Thursday	In Uttarashada Nakshatra
21 Sep	Dwadashi	Friday	In Shravana Nakshatra
26 Sep	Prathama	Wednesday	In Revati Nakshatra
27 Sep	Dvitiya	Thursday	In Ashwini Nakshatra
1 Oct	Saptami	Monday	In Mrigashira Nakshatra
4 Oct	Dashami	Thursday	In Pushya Nakshatra
5 Oct	Ekadashi	Friday	In Magh Nakshatra
10 Oct	Prathama	Wednesday	In Chitra Nakshatra
11 Oct	Tritiya	Thursday	In Swati Nakshatra
5 Nov	Trayodashi	Monday	In Hastha Nakshatra
9 Nov	Dvitiya	Friday	In Anuradha Nakshatra
10 Dec	Tritiya	Monday	In Uttarashada Nakshatra
12 Dec	Panchami	Wednesday	In Shravana Nakshatra
13 Dec	Shashti	Thursday	In Dhanishtha Nakshatra
14 Dec	Saptami	Friday	In Shatabisha Nakshatra

Annaprashan Sanskar or Annaprasana is one of the 16 Sanskar celebrated in Hinduism. Like Mundan ceremony, this Samskara is also performed when a child is in between age of 6 months to 1 year. Annaprashan means to feed food to your baby child for the first time other than milk. It is also known as first rice eating ceremony or baby’s first feeding.

For 6 months after birth, infants are dependent on their mother’s milk. But after that, they need food for acquiring all the nutrients. This is the reason why Annaprashan Sanskar is performed when the babies are 6 months old. It is also known by different names in different regions of the country. In Kerala it is called as Choroonu, Mukhe Bhaat in West Bengal and Bhat Khulai in Garhwal regions.

In Hindu religion, Kundali is prepared and various rituals are performed, when a child is born. And accordingly as the baby grows, other Sanskars like Karnavedha, Mundan and Vidyarambh are also concluded.

Benefits of Annaprashan Sanskar

In Hinduism, food (Anná) is highly worshipped as a sacred entity. Every being on Earth needs food to live. It is also mentioned in Gita that humans are alive because of the food (Anná). This is also the reason why, Annaprashan Sanskar holds high significance in Veda and other religious texts. According to them -

• Anná not only offers nutrition, but it also nourishes the mental health of a person. This can be understood by the saying “Jaisa Khaye Anná Wasa Hoye Mann”.
• The main objective of this ceremony is to make a child healthy, agile and strong.
• From 6th or 7th month onwards, after a baby is born, his/her teeth starts to appear and the digestion process also begins to grow strong. So, when the child starts eating, his/her physical and mental development begins.
• A child becomes impure because of the presence of bad food in their body, which appears when they were in the womb. Therefore, Annaprashan Sanskar is performed to purify them of it, and also to feed them with pure food.

When and Where to Perform Annaprashan Sanskar

When a baby becomes six months old, their Annaprashan ceremony is performed. As per Hindu Calendar, there is a time difference between the rituals of Annaprasana for a boy child and a girl child.

• Even months (6th or 8th month) are considered auspicious for performing Annaprashan Sanskar of a Baby Boy whereas odd months (5th or 7th month) are considered for completing the rituals of Annaprasana for a Baby Girl.
• As per Annaprashan Vidhi, rice pudding (Kheer) or other eatables (as per family traditions or according to the place) should be fed to the child.
• This ceremony can be concluded at home or in the temple. However, if the ceremony is performed at home, then it should be carried out ritually or according to the family traditions.
• Annaprasana should be done in a Shubh Tithi or Nakshatra. Some people consider it auspicious to perform this Samskara (baby’s first feeding) on Ashtami or Navami day of Navratri, as per their family traditions.

Annaprashan Vidhi - Things You Should Do

Annaprasana is known by different names in different regions and accordingly is celebrated with lots of happiness. In Kerala, the Annaprashan Sanskar of children is carried out in the centuries-old, red-roofed Guruvayur Temple. In North India, first rice ceremony or baby’s first feeding is done both in the temple and at home.

• On this day, a child should be dressed in new clothes after bathing, most specifically Dhoti-Kurta or Lehenga-Choli.
• Perform Yagna and Havan at home, and pray for the better health and long-life of your child.
• Before feeding Anná to your child, offer the cooked food to the God. Then, perform Annaprasana of your baby.
• First worship all the deities in a Shubh Muhurat. Then, family members including Grandfather - Grandmother and Mother - Father should feed Kheer to the baby with a silver spoon.
• Invite the relatives and elders to bless your baby on this auspicious occasion.

Annaprashan Sanskar and One-of-a-Kind Custom

After the auspicious ceremony of Annaprasana, there is a unique custom or game that is carried out by the family members of the baby. Numerous symbolic objects such as books, jewels, pen, clay things, etc are placed in a silver tray in front of the baby, which she/he can pick up later. These objects hold traditional beliefs which are as -

• Books represents Curiosity and Learning.
• Jewels represents Wealth.
• Pen represents Knowledge.
• Clay represents Property.

According to traditional beliefs in Hinduism, whichever object the child picks up, represents their area of interest, which they may opt in future as a hobby or career.

Importance of Annaprashan Sanskar - Know the History

When baby is in the womb of their mother, they become impure because of the presence of bad food in their body. To nullify the effects of these impurities, Annaprashan Sanskar is performed where pure food is given to the children. Although, up to 6 months, baby depends on their mother’s milk for proper nutrition. But After that, food (Anná) is introduced in their eating habits for their proper health and growth. And this is the reason why, Annaprashan Ceremony holds great significance.

There are several sayings in the regard of food such as “Healthy mind and healthy body is the product of good food”, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” and so on. In holy books or Veda, food (Anná) is called the basis of life. It is also the source of strength and energy for humans. That’s why, Hinduism puts great emphasis on pure and Sattvic meal. There is also a story found in Mahabharata Era associated with the importance of Anná.

It is believed that during the battle of Mahabharata, Pandavas were listening to the preachings of Pitamah Bhishma, who was lying on the bed of arrows. He was enlightening them about Dharma (values, honor, justice and morality), when Draupadi suddenly started laughing. Everyone was surprised with her behaviour, but Pitamah asked her the reason behind it.

Panchali told him “Pitamah! You are teaching about Dharma which is really good for listening. But what about that time when I was being disrobed by Kauravas in the whole court? Where was you justness at that time? Why didn’t you give Duryodhana the knowledge of Dharma? This is what I was remembering, when I started laughing.” Listening to her, Bhishma Pitamah replied, “Putri! The food (Anná) that I used to eat at that time was of Duryodhana. The same food was even in my blood. Just like his evil nature, my food was also contaminated and had even tainted my mind and thoughts. With Arjuna’s arrows, all that sinned food formed as blood has drained. My mind is pure now and what I am speaking here is just and according to Dharma.”

This story highly justifies the saying “Jaisa Khaye Anná Wasa Hoye Mann”. Therefore, all the information given above in the context of Annaprashan Sanskar, highly validates its importance. And that is why, it is important to perform Annaprasana of your child according to the date and time mentioned in astrological texts. So that, they could acquire good health, strength, and intelligence.