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'Naam Karan' - The Sikh Tradition of naming Babies Traditionally sikh babies are named in a ceremony called "Naam Karan" ceremony. The ceremony takes place in a Gurudwara in the presence of the family, friends and relatives. Sikhs always look forward to the blessings of Guru Granth Sahib" and Guru's order before any major or important event in their life. When is "Naam Karan"done? There is no hard and fast time limit after the child's birth within which the Naam Karan has to be performed. The usual criteria is the health and the well being of the child and the mother who should be physically fit after the child's birth to be able to visit the Gurdwara. Also Sikhs do not have to wait for a particular "Mahurat" (auspicious time) to name the Baby; any time is considered auspicious enough. The Procedure: The family prepares 'Karah Prashad" and carries it to the Gurdwara or gets it prepared. Advance preparations might need to be made for the ceremony . A 'Sahaj Path' or 'Akhand Path' is arranged a few days in advance and is concluded on this day. Various shabads of joy and thanks are sung followed by" Anand Sahib", usually the first five pauris followed by the last one. "Ardaas", a request to the lord for the good health and well being of the child, that the child be blessed with all the virtues of a true sikh and that he serves the religion with great fervour and dignity is performed. It also seeks the permission of Guru for naming the child. Usually the granthi recites the 'Ardaas' with the gathering accompanying him. Any senior member of the family or a relative can also perform this duty. The Ardaas is followed by Hukamnama. Guru Granth Sahib is opened randomly and the first hymn that appears on the top of the left hand page is the Hukamnama or "Divine Order Of The Guru". The first letter of the first word of this hymn becomes the starting letter of the baby's name. For example, if the hymn is "Rag Suhi Mahla 5 Chhant Ek Onkar Satgur Parsad Mith bolda ji har sajjan suami mora….", The child would be named from letter M (Mith bolda) and his name could be Manvir Singh or Manvir Kaur meaning strong minded. If the name has already been decided the Granthi announces the name to the gathering with a jaikara ' Jo Bole So Nihaal Sat Sri Akaal'. Otherwise the family just takes note of the letter and can take its time to find an appropriate name. Karah Prashad is served at the end of the ceremony to the Sangat, the gathering,to seek their blessings for the child. This marks the end of the ceremony and the family then returns home.
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