Nishkramana (निष्क्रमण)

This is the sixth of the sixteen samskaras, the life-cycle ceremonies of Hindu tradition. It is performed in the fourth month.

What it is

The first time the baby is taken out of the house to see the sun and the open sky, often to a temple. Parents pray for the child's health and carry the child out in a clean cloth.

What is usually done

A visit to a temple or the courtyard, a short prayer to the sun and the family deity.

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

• Annaprashana (अन्नप्राशन)
• Namakarana (naming ceremony) (नामकरण)

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.