Nuaran Puja, also known as “Naming Ceremony,” is one of the significant rites among the 16 Samskaras in the life of a newborn child. This puja is performed to officially give the newborn their first name, referred to as “Nuaran” in Nepali tradition. It is conducted on the 11th day after the birth of the child, once the initial 10 days are completed. During this time, the family and relatives gather for purification rituals. In the presence of the mother and father, a special sacred ceremony is performed, which includes a havan (fire ritual). Following this, a ritual involving Peepal leaves and the light of sacred scriptures is carried out. The child’s name is chosen based on the astrological positioning of 27 constellations at the time of birth.
Importance of Nuaran Puja
Nuaran Puja is observed as an opportunity for parents to seek the blessings of the divine for their child’s future. Family members and relatives come together to pray for the newborn’s well-being and happiness. After the naming process is complete, the father worships the child in a sacred cow dung altar and offers prayers to the sun for blessings.
(नवारन पूजा, जसलाई “नामकरण पूजा” पनि भनिन्छ, विशेष गरी नवजात शिशुको जीवनमा १६ संस्कार मधे एक महत्त्वपूर्ण संस्कार हो। यो पूजा नवजात शिशुको पहिलो नामकरण गरिन्छ। जसलाई नेपाली परम्परामा “नवारन” भनिन्छ। बालक जन्मे को १० रात पूरा भए, ११ दिन मा परिवार र बंधु हरु मा सुतकसुधी र बच, आमा र बाबू को उपसथाथी मा हवानात्मक प्रीति दव्रारा बिशेष कर्म मा पूजा पछि पीपल को पाठ मा ज्योति शास्त्र को गणन् ना गरी २७ तारा मधय जन्मादा को अनुसार शास्तत्रियो पहिलो नाम राखी यो पूजा गरीनछ ।
नवारन पूजा को महत्व
नवारन पूजा आमाबाबुले आफ्ना सन्तानको भविष्यका लागि भगवानको आशीर्वाद माग्ने अवसरको रूपमा पनि मनाइन्छ। यो पूजामा परिवारका सदस्यहरू र नातेदारहरू उपस्थित हुन्छन् र सब मिलेर शिशुको आशीर्वाद र खुशीका लागि प्रार्थना गर्छन्।)
- कुश (Kusha grass)
- इटा = १५ (Bricks – 15)
- सुंरो (Cow dung)
- गोबर (Cow dung)
- रेखी को पिठो (Flour of millet)
- आबीर केशरी (Colored powder)
- समिधा दाउरा = 15 किलो (Wooden sticks for fire – kg)
- बत्ती = १००० (Wicks – 1000)
- घ्यू = १/2 किलो (Clarified butter – 1 kg)
- जौ, तिल = १ किलो प्रत्येक (Barley, sesame seeds – 1 kg each)
- तिल को तेल = १/२ लिटर (Sesame oil – ½ liter)
- टपरी = ३० (Leaf plates)
- बोहोता = १५ (Leaf bowls)
- दूना = १० (Small leaf bowls)
- चामल = १० किलो (Rice – 10 kg)
- धान = २ किलो (Paddy – 2 kg)
- कलश = ५ (Water vessels – 5)
- दीयो (Incense) = १ (1)
- आँप, पीपल, बर, डुम्री, पाखरी, बेलपत्र, दुबो (Mango, Peepal, Banyan, Dumri, Pakhari, Belpatra, Durva grass)
- तोरी(Sarshaw) (Yellow mustard seeds)
- कुश (Kusha grass)
- पञ्च पल्लव (Five sacred leaves)
- सर्व औषधि (Herbal mixture)
- सप्तमृतिका (Seven sacred earths)
- पञ्चरत्न (Five gems)
- पञ्चगव्य (Panchgavya – mixture of five sacred products)
- सुपारी = 5 (Betel nuts – 12)
- जनई = 5 (Sacred thread – 12)
- थाली = २ (Plates – 2)
- कलश = 5 (Water vessels – 5)
- रातो, सेतो, पहेँलो कपडा = १/२ मीटर प्रत्येक (Red, white, yellow cloth – ½ meter each)
- फूल माला (Flower garland)
- मिठाई (Sweets)
- दुबो (Durva grass)
- दीयो (Incense) = १ (1)
- कर्म पत्र, अधर्य पत्र, शंख, घण्टा (Ritual utensils, offering vessel, conch shell, bell)
- आचमनी, पञ्च पात्र (Water for sipping, five vessels)
- चीनी (Sugar)
- पञ्चामृत (Panchamrit – sacred mixture)
- नरिवल = २ (Coconuts – 2)
- फलफूल (Fruits and flowers)
- मिठाई (Sweets)
- काशको कचौरा = २ (Bamboo basket – 2)
- सुनको प्रतिमा (Gold idol)
- गंगाजल (Ganga water)
- लावा (Parched grains)
- यज्ञ पात्र (Havan vessel)
- माटोको पालो = ५ वटा (Clay balls – 5)
- धूप, बेसार, हल्दी (Incense, turmeric, and haldi)
- मासको दल (Meat offering)
- रातो वस्त्र (Red cloth)
- जल (Water)
- सिदा अन्न (Uncooked grains)
- गोबरको कुण्डा (Cow dung oven)
- सर्सो (Mustard seeds) – only for Nuaran
- भलायो दाना (Grains of barley)
- पीपल को ठुला पात (Large leaves of Pial tree)
- नामकरणको लागि कपडा (Clothes for naming ceremony)
- गुरु दक्षिणा (Guru’s gift)
- बच्चा र सुतकेरी को नयाँ कपडा (New clothes for the baby and post-delivery mother)
- सुतकेरी तथा बच्चाको बाबुले गडन (The father and post-delivery mother to carry the baby)