Thursday, December 16, 2010

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.

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