Chhathi Ceremony

This ceremony is performed when the baby is six days old. This ceremony is primarily for women and is timed to take place late at night, say between ten o'clock and midnight. 

According to folklore, there was a belief that on the 6th day after the birth of the child,  Vidhaata (Goddess of destiny) would quietly enter the house around midnight to pen the destiny of the newborn. Traditionally the mother of the newborn lights a lamp (diya). This lamp along with a red pen and paper are placed on a wooden plank for Vidhaata to write the future of the newborn.

The mother, while holding the newborn in her arms, kneels before the lamp, which is supposed to symbolize Vidhaata.

Naamkaran (Naming Ceremony)

According to Hindu mythology, the naming ceremony for the newborn takes place on the twelfth day after his/ her birth and is predominantly a ladies' function. On the appointed day, female relatives and friends arrive to participate in this colorful ceremony.

At the auspicious time, the newborn is placed in the jhula (cradle) decorated with colorful flowers and ribbons. All the women gather around the jhula and sing the traditional naming ceremony songs rhyming with the newborn's name. Traditionally, the female participants used to bring rice grains and sugar alongwith toys to mark this auspicious event.

In certain Hindu communities the naming ceremony of the newborn takes place after three months. The baby can no longer be placed in a jhula by the time it is three months old. In these cases, a sturdy colorful (red or green) piece of cloth is used to hold the baby. This cloth is also filled with items of good omen - such as nagarvel paan (green chewing pan), supari (betel nuts), haldi (turmeric), dry cuts, moong and coins of one rupee and quarter rupee denominations. (In Hindu mythology one and quarter is a sign of good luck).

Traditionally, the aunts (the father's sisters) hold the four corners of the cloth in which the baby lies. The aunts then gently swing the cloth, imitating the movement of a cradle, while the female participants continue singing traditional songs. A typical song sung at a naming ceremony is:- 

Oly Jholy Pipal Paan
Fui e Padyu Baby Nu Naam.

Hindus often prefer to name their children based on Hindu raashis because it is considered auspicious and is supposed to bring good fortune to the child. Raashis are determined by planetary positions at the date and exact time of the child's birth.