6 - Nishkramana Samskara

Nishkramana means the first outing. It is the sixth of the 16 Samskara. On the day of the Nishkramana, a square area in the courtyard from where sun can be seen is plastered with cow dung and clay and the sign of Swastika is marked on it. The mother of the child scatters grains of rice over it. The child is brought to the place and the ceremony begins. At the end of the ceremony the father makes the child look at the sun with the sound of the conch-shell and the chanting of Vaidic hymns.

The child is also shown good and auspicious symbols, taken to Shiva temple or any place the family has the faith in.

Nishkramana is ideally performed in the fourth month after the birth.