Shreelu's Annaprasana

Annaprasana:

Annaprasana is a Hindu ritual celebrated on the occasion of baby's first intake of food other than milk.

This ritual is usually done on 6th month. If it is done on 6th month 6th day we need not see the tithi, nakshatram, etc. If we have to choose some other day then we have to see those things.

This can be done at home and some people choose temple also to perform this ritual. A bowl of Paravannam (prepared by overcooking rice, add milk, jaggery and ghee) is prepared and a small pooja is performed by purohit. Baby is taken on mother's lap and father feeds the first rice to the baby with a gold ring, followed by mother, uncle (mama) and other elders. 

Later a game is played lying the baby on the carpet on which different items are placed. It is believed that what ever the baby holds first, second and third it will be her/his profession or interest in future. These include Gold(symbolizing wealth), money, pen symbolizing profession and career, bhagavathgeetha symbolizing spirituality, knife symbolizing bravery etc. 

Shreelu's Annaprasana:

We chose 6th month, 6th day to perform Annaprasana for Shreelu, which was on 28th July 2014. It was performed in Tirupathi at my In-Laws place. Though it was informed in short notice most of relatives and friends made their presence.

After the ritual of first rice was performed, the game started and we lied Shreelu on carpet with all the items in front of her. Along with the traditional items which were placed, we also placed a ball to symbolize sports on Shreelu's Nanna's demand. 

Shreelu went ahead and held gold first and as soon as she touched all our friends started screaming and clapping and Shreelu was scared and stared crying. Then we had to take a break and pacify her and changed as her jewels and dress was irriating her. For the second time, she held Pen and third time it was Bhagavathgeetha. Don't know how far this game comes true but it was real fun to play it. 

P.S: Thanks to Eswar and Shabbir for Videos.