Karnavedha (कर्णवेध)

This is the ninth of the sixteen samskaras, the life-cycle ceremonies of Hindu tradition. It is performed between the first and fifth year.

What it is

The piercing of the ears, performed on boys and girls in many families. It is done at an auspicious time, often at a temple, and a blessing is said. Today many families do it simply for ornament, and a doctor or a trained person should do it with clean tools.

What is usually done

A short puja, the piercing, sweets.

Why it matters to families

The samskaras mark the stages of a life and bring the family and community together at each of them. Families keep as many as suit their tradition and their circumstances. Many keep the ceremonies that remain popular (naming, first food, first haircut, the thread, wedding and last rites) and treat the rest as a prayer of blessing.

See the full list of sixteen.

Read next

• Vidyarambha (aksharabhyasa) (विद्यारम्भ)
• Chudakarana (mundan) (चूडाकरण)

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.