Sixteen Samskaras

Rituals in this group (17)

• Garbhadhana Sanskar Book a Panditji Vishnu, Prajapati

  The first samskara, performed to sanctify the act of conception.
• Pumsavana Sanskar Book a Panditji Vishnu, Prajapati

  Second samskara performed during early pregnancy for the health of the foetus.
• Simantonnayana Sanskar Book a Panditji Vishnu, Prajapati

  Third samskara performed for the wellbeing of the mother and unborn child.
• Jatakarma Sanskar Book a Panditji Agni, Ishta Devata

  Fourth samskara performed immediately at/after birth.
• Namakarana Sanskar Book a Panditji Chandra, Ishta Devata

  Fifth samskara formally naming the child.
• Nishkramana Sanskar Panditji booking optional Surya, Chandra

  Sixth samskara marking the infant's first exposure to the outside world.
• Annaprashana Sanskar Panditji booking optional Annapurna

  Seventh samskara marking the first intake of solid food.
• Chudakarana Sanskar Book a Panditji Kuldevta, Ishta Devata

  Eighth samskara, the child's first ritual haircut.
• Karnavedha Sanskar Panditji booking optional Ishta Devata

  Ninth samskara (in some traditions), the ritual piercing of the ears.
• Vidyarambha Sanskar Book a Panditji Saraswati, Ganesha

  Samskara marking the start of a child's education (regional variant, sometimes merged with Upanayana sequence).
• Upanayana Sanskar Book a Panditji Gayatri, Surya, Agni

  Tenth samskara, the sacred thread ceremony marking spiritual second birth.
• Vedarambha Sanskar Book a Panditji Gayatri, Saraswati

  Eleventh samskara marking the start of systematic Vedic study.
• Keshanta Sanskar Book a Panditji Ishta Devata

  Twelfth samskara, the ceremonial first shave marking transition into young adulthood.
• Samavartana Sanskar Book a Panditji Guru, Ishta Devata

  Thirteenth samskara marking the formal completion of Vedic education and return home.
• Vivaha Sanskar Book a Panditji Agni, Vishnu

  Fourteenth samskara, the formal marriage ceremony (full record under Marriage Rituals).
• Vanaprastha Sanskar Book a Panditji Ishta Devata

  Traditional (now rare) samskara marking gradual withdrawal from worldly life.
• Antyeshti Sanskar Book a Panditji Agni, Yama

  Sixteenth and final samskara comprising cremation and associated rites.