Naming Ceremony Puja

Introduction to Naming Ceremony Puja

“नामाकरण” is a Sanskrit word which is formed of two words “नाम” which represents “name” and “करण” which represents “to create”. As such, Namakaran means name giving ceremony to a newly born baby. It is one of the 16 संस्कार or rituals in Hinduism and is commonly known as “न्वारान” in Nepal.

Importance and Significance of Naming Ceremony Puja

Why is Namakaran/Nwaran Ceremony Performed? 

The naming ceremony or “Namakaran” is performed to formally choose the astrological name of the newly born baby.

When is Namakaran/Nwaran Ceremony Performed? 

The ceremony is performed on the 11th day of birth of a baby which is justified by the a saying in Sanskrit book “एकादशे अहनी पिता नाम कुर्यात“which means, naming ceremony of the baby be performed by the father on the 11th day of his or her birth.

How is the Namakaran/Nwaran Ceremony Performed?

The ceremony is performed by the father of the child in the morning. He takes shower and gets seated at the yagna mandap. The ceremony starts by worshipping Diyo (the symbol of fire) followed by Kalash (the symbol of water) and Lord Ganesha (the remover of obstacles). 

This will be followed by bonfire, also called “Hawan” where a mix of rice grains, black sesame, barley, and herbs also called “चरु” is offered to the burning fire “अग्नी”. 

After this, the name of the baby is written in a couple of Peepal tree leaf by the Guru. The peepal tree leaf is wrapped to form a funnel and is whispered through to the ears of the child. 

Following this, the grandmother of the child, if present, will carry the with her to make three rounds of the yagna Mandap. 

How is the birth name of the baby calculated in Namakaran/ Nwaran?

The birth name of the baby will be calculated from the time, location, and place of birth of the baby and will be based upon the position of the constellation in the sky at the time of birth and from the location of birth. 

For your information, we have 27 constellations (नक्षत्र) in the sky and each constellation has an angular value of 13 degrees and 20 minutes. Likewise, every constellation (नक्षत्र) can have 4 birth names. As such, if the child is born at an angle of 0 degrees to 3 degree and 20 minutes, his birth name will start from the firs letter associated to that Nakshatra. Likewise, the birth name will start from 2nd letter, 3rd letter, and 4th letter if baby is born at 3 degree 20 minutes to 6 degrees 40 minutes, 6 degree 40 minutes to 10 degrees and 10 degrees to 13 degree 20 minutes simultaneously

List of Puja Materials

Below is a comprehensive list of commonly used materials for Naming Ceremony Puja. Items may vary slightly based on regional traditions and priestly guidance.

• A. Things from Nepali Puja Material Shop or Nepali Grocery Store :

  अबिर (Red Pigment Powder), केशरी (Yellow Pigment Powder), सिन्दूर (Vermilion), श्रीखण्ड (White Pigment Powder), पञ्चपल्लव (Dried Mango Leaves), सर्वौषधि (Sarwaushadhi), पञ्चरत्न (Pancharatna), सप्तमृत्तिका (Saptamrittika), पञ्चगव्य (Panchagavya), कालो धागो (Black Thread), रक्षा बन्धन (Coloured Sacred Thread), सरसिउं (Yellow Mustard), कुश (Dried Holy Grass), जौ (Dried Barley), कालो तिल (Black Sesame Seed), लावा (Roasted Paddy), धूप (Incense), ५ वा ७ सुते कातेको बत्ती (Cotton Wick), अगरबत्ती (Incense Stick), कपुर (Camphor), तुलसीपत्र (Dried Holy Basil Leaves), जनै (Holy Thread), सुपारी (Dried Betel Nut), ल्वाङ (Cloves), सुकमेल (Cardamom), रातो कपडा (Red Cloth), पहेंलो कपडा (Yellow Cloth), सेतो कपडा (White Cloth), भलायो (Dried Marking Nut) *Please look for the Puja Packet in a nearby Nepali Puja Shop. The Puja Set should contain the above items.

• B. Things from the Shopping Centre (eg: Woolworths, Nepali/Indian Grocery) :

  दुध् (Milk), दही (Yoghurt), घिउ (Ghee), चिनी वा सख्खर (Sugar or Jaggery), मह (Honey), तोरिको वा तिलको तेल (Mustard / Sesame Oil), चामल (Rice grains – 3 Kg), फलफुल (Fruits), मिट्ठाइ (Sweets), सलाई (Match Box), रेखिको लागि चामलको पिठो (Coarse Rice Flour), टपरी वा प्लेट (Paper Plates), दुना वा ब्बल (Paper Bowls), चम्चा (Wooden Spoons), जिपलक (Sandwich Bag), पानीवाला नरिवल (Watery Coconut), सुक्खा नरिवल (Dry Coconut), आल्मोनियम ट्रे (Medium Aluminium Tray)

• C. Things from the Warehouse (eg: Bunnings) :

  बालुवा वा माटो (Sand or Earth – 5 Kg), हवन समिधा (Havan Sticks – 33 Pieces), आल्मोनियम ट्रे (Aluminium Trays – 2 Pieces) *Havan is performed in the aluminium tray. Alternatively, you may use four bricks or equivalent concrete blocks.

• D. Things from the Garden :

  फुल (Flowers), दुबो (Holy Grass), आंपको पत्ता (Mango Leaves – minimum 5), पिपलको पत्ता (Peepal Leaves – minimum 5), पानको पत्ता (Betel Leaves – minimum 5), तुलसी पत्ता (Tulasi Leaves) *If Peepal, Mango, Tulasi or Betel leaves are not available, please arrange flowers instead.

• E. Things at Home (Could also be bought from the Nepali Grocery Store) :

  दियो (Diyo), आरती गर्ने दियो (Diyo for Aarati), कलश (Kalash – 5 Pieces), पन्चपात्र (Panchapatra), आचमनी (Aachamani), पुजा थाली (Puja Thali), अगरबत्ती राख्ने भांडो (Agarbatti Stand), कर्मपात्र (Copper Bowl), अर्घपात्र (Surya Arghapatra), संख (Conch), घण्टी (Ghanti), गणेश भगवानको मूर्ती (Ganesh Statue), खुजुरा पैसा (Coins and Notes – e.g. $1, $5), नैबेध (Naibedh), टिस्यु / पेपर टावेल (Tissue / Paper Towel), आसन वा चकटी (Mats for Sitting) *If the above puja utensils are not available in your house, you could use the plates, bowls etc purchased from the shopping centre.

Download Puja Materials

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