BABY NAMAKARNA & THOTTIL (Cradling ceremony)
Posted on August 22, 2015 by sujasudi
NOTE : Any funtion happenning at home, we have a custom to call our close friends and relatives. All are given prasad of that day (+food etc). All ladies are given haldi, kumkum (gifts – optional).
Drushti is taken at the end of the function / day
* REFER ARTHI PAGE
During the function, in anyone can and wishes, nice songs can be sung.
We do namaskaram for all elders gathered and seek their blessings
NAMAKARNA : Namakarna is done on 11th/21st/40th day of the baby
* If aachar does the puniyarjanai, then, he would take care of all the formalities
* If want to do it simple, these can be done :
From this day onwards, nice oil massage is given for the baby. Then, head bath is given using baby soap/shampoo/ preferably channa besan powder, which is good for baby’s skin. From this day, this oil massage and bath is to be given for the baby ON ALTERNATE DAYS is a must – atleast for 3 months.
* This is the first day, baby is decorated with Bindi of Kajal. (Kajal can be prepared at home, as it is for the baby. Take a plate and apply olive oil thoroughlly on it. Show it to lamp fire for some time. It would turn to black ashes.With more oil in finger, mix the ashes well. You get nice, fresh kajal, which can even be stored and used for a year).
*Black bangles are put for the baby (If it is the first baby in the house, black bangles will be provided during bangle-ceremony. Else, new black baby bangles must be purchased)
*Silver anklets are also put for the baby (Atleast until 5th month, boy/girl should have these anklets)
*At auspicious time baby, parents of baby, sibling all are made to sit down on a mat, facing EAST.An ARTHI is taken.
Then, spread handful of paddy/rice in a nice clean plate. Father/Mother should write baby’s name on it and whisper the name in his/her ears 3 times. So, any of the below three names is whispered in baby’s ears.
(As now-a-days, name for the baby is announced officially in hospital, we have a custom of keeping 3 names. 1-calling name, 2-family name, 3-name which will suit baby’s star)
Thats all is official NAMAKARNA. Since, it is the auspicious time, HOROSCOPE for the first time, is written for the baby this day.
NOTE : While giving head bath on alternate days, the last mug of water is used for taking off drushti for the baby, which is poured down. Also, everyday 1 bangle is removed from the baby and thrown away, while giving bath.
CRADLING CEREMONY / THOTTIL :
This function is celebrated on the eve of Namakarna day.
Baby’s cradle/crib/carseat is decorated well. Family and friends are invited for this function.
Pick a Kannya(young girl) from the group.
To begin with, a stone(Gundu kal) is decorated with haldi, kumkum and a blouse bit, as dress. Then the girl holds the stone and she keeps it in the cradle first. Then she picks it up and gives to mother of baby. After keeping aside the stone, mother picks the baby and puts in the cradle and rocks the cradle a bit.
Then, all elderly ladies assembled, all wish the mother and baby good luck and they all rock the cradle gently.
EasyToFollow-Namma Mane Paddati #NoExpectations 
