1 | Garbhadan | The first coming together of the husband & wife for bringing about conception. |
2 | Pumsvan | Ceremony performed when the first signs of conception are seen, and is to be performed when someone desires a male child. |
3 | Seemantonayan | A ceremony of parting of the hairs of the expectant mother to keep her spirits high & positive. Special music is arranged for her. |
4 | Jatakarma | After the birth of the child, the child is given a secret name, he is given taste of honey & ghee, mother starts the first breast-feeding after chanting of a mantra. |
5 | Nama-karana | In this ceremony the child is given a formal name. Performed on the 11th day. |
6 | Nishkramana | In this the formal darshan of sun & moon is done for the child. |
7 | Annaprashana | This ceremony is performed, when the child is given solid food (anna) for the first time. |
8 | Chudakarana | Cuda means the 'lock or tuft of hair' kept after the remaining part is shaved off. |
9 | Karna-vedha | Done in 7th or 8th month. Piercing of the ears. |
10 | Upanayan & Vedarambha | The thread ceremony. The child is thereafter authorized to perform all rituals. Studies of Vedas begins with the Guru. |
11 | Keshanta | Hairs are cut, guru dakshina is given |
12 | Samavartan | Returning to the house |
13 | Vivaha | Marriage ceremony |
14 | Vanprastha | As old age approaches, the person retires for a life of tapas & studies. |
15 | Sanyas | Before leaving the body a Hinddu sheds all sense of responsibility & relationships to awake & revel in the timeless truth. |
16 | Antyeshthi | The last rites done after the death. |