The sixteen samskaras

A samskara is a ceremony that marks a stage of life. Choose a ceremony below, or read the full list.

Before and at birth

• Garbhadhana (गर्भाधान)
• Pumsavana (पुंसवन)
• Simantonnayana (godh bharai) (सीमन्तोन्नयन)
• Jatakarma (जातकर्म)

Childhood

• Namakarana (naming ceremony) (नामकरण)
• Nishkramana (निष्क्रमण)
• Annaprashana (अन्नप्राशन)
• Chudakarana (mundan) (चूडाकरण)
• Karnavedha (कर्णवेध)
• Vidyarambha (aksharabhyasa) (विद्यारम्भ)

Education and adulthood

• Upanayana (janeu or sacred thread) (उपनयन)
• Vedarambha (वेदारम्भ)
• Keshanta (godana) (केशान्त)
• Samavartana (समावर्तन)
• Vivaha (wedding) (विवाह)

Death and ancestors

• Antyeshti (last rites) (अन्त्येष्टि)
• Pitru Paksha and shraddh

Guides

• The sixteen samskaras
• Choosing a priest and a date

These pages describe common practice in plain words. Customs differ by region, community and family, and your own family's tradition and a priest of your community come first. Dates of auspicious times change every year: ask a priest or use a trusted panchang. Nothing here promises any result.