Annaprashan (also called Mukhe Bhaat in Bengali families, or Choroonu in Kerala) is the 8th of the 16 Hindu samskaras — the ceremony marking a baby's first taste of solid food, usually rice. It's a joyful milestone celebration that also carries deep spiritual significance, marking the baby's transition from milk-only nutrition to grains — the foundation of life in Indian culture.
When to Perform Annaprashan
Traditional timing by gender:
Boys
6th month — typically an even-numbered month from birth
Girls
5th or 7th month — typically an odd-numbered month from birth
Some families
Choose a date based on the baby's nakshatra or a specific festival like Vasant Panchami
Note
The exact timing varies by region and family tradition — always confirm with your family priest
Annaprashan Samagri List
Step-by-Step Ritual
Choose an auspicious muhurat — often a festival day, the baby's nakshatra-based date, or a family-significant date
Dress the baby in new clothes — often a traditional outfit in bright colours
Perform a short puja invoking family deities and seeking blessings for the baby's health and prosperity
Prepare kheer or payasam — this is traditionally the first solid food given to the baby
The eldest family member (often a grandparent) feeds the baby the first spoonful of kheer using a silver spoon
Other family members may also offer small tastes, symbolizing collective blessings
Perform the 'choosing ceremony' — explained below
Distribute prasad and sweets to all guests
The "Choosing Ceremony"
One of the most fun and anticipated parts of Annaprashan is the "choosing ceremony" (sometimes called Mukhe Bhaat ceremony in Bengali families). A tray with several symbolic objects is placed in front of the baby, and whichever object the baby reaches for or touches first is believed to indicate their future inclination or profession.
Common items and their meanings:
Book
Scholar / academic inclination
Pen
Writer / intellectual pursuits
Money/coin
Wealth / business acumen
Gold/jewellery
Prosperity / luxury
Soil/clay
Connection to land / real estate
Stethoscope (modern)
Doctor / medical profession
Rice/grain
Abundance / never going hungry
This is taken in good fun rather than as a serious prediction — but it makes for one of the most photographed and talked-about moments of the ceremony, often repeated for years in family stories.
Regional Variations
- Bengali families call it 'Mukhe Bhaat' and often hold a larger feast with extended family
- In Kerala, the ceremony is called 'Choroonu' and is often performed at a temple
- South Indian families may combine this with a Namakaranam-style naming reaffirmation
- Punjabi and North Indian families often celebrate this alongside the baby's first haircut planning
- Some families add a small puja for Annapurna Devi, the goddess of food and nourishment
💡 Family tradition tip
Record what your baby chose during the ceremony, who fed them the first spoonful, and any family stories about previous generations' Annaprashan — these small details become treasured memories years later.
Planning other ceremonies too? See our guides on Namkaran (naming ceremony) and Mundan (first haircut).