Rites Of Passage- Hindus

Question 0

How many samskar are there before birth?

Answer 0

Three, including prayers for a healthy baby

Question 1

In Hinduism what are the four stages of life?

Answer 1

ashramas.each has its own rituals ( samskar), such as prayers. These are usually private family rituals/occasions.

Question 2

In Hindu what happens straight after a birth?

Answer 2

Mantras are said, baby is given honey and ghee, by priest or father, using gold object, this is for intelligences nod a pure good life.
Naming ceremony takes place and the babies horoscope is drawn up

Question 3

In Hindu, what happens 10-12 days after birth?

Answer 3

Puja is performed, child is given names, the priest or astrologer gives the first initial if the name

Question 4

In Hindu, what happens when the baby goes on his first outing?

Answer 4

Samskar, prayers to protect from evil spirits

Question 5

In Hindu, what happens when the baby first has solid food?

Answer 5

Mantras are chanted, puja and prayers for a good happy life, food is given by dad/priest/ maternal uncle

Question 6

In Hindu, what happens when baby has its ears pierced?

Answer 6

Prayers to protect from disease

Question 7

In Hindu, what happens when baby has first haircut?

Answer 7

Usually cut by dad, mantras are said. Hair cut symbolises removal of bad karma from previous life

Question 8

In Hindu what samskar takes place during a wedding?

Answer 8

15th

Question 9

What happens during a Hindu wedding?

Answer 9

Garlands around each other’s neck symbolises acceptance
Sit side by side under canopy opposite priest
Prayers and mantras
Ghee and grains are offered into a sacred fire, couple walk around 7 times, priest and people say prayers for their future happiness, then 7 steps together facing north with prayers

Question 10

In Hindu What samskar happens at death?

Answer 10

16th

Question 11

What do Hindus believe happens after death?

Answer 11

We move to a new life or phase of existence

Question 12

In Hindu What happens at a funeral?

Answer 12

Body washed,wrapped in cloth, on a stretcher to cremation ground in procession led by eldest son/ male rel who carries pot of water. Stretcher on funeral pyre, son walks around 3 times and sprinkles water, stands by head of corpse and drops pot -it breaks (symbol- released from body) prayers,readings from scriptures, ghee and sandalwood thrown on pyre.lit,left to burn,ashes in river