The 16 Sanskaras

At the time of conception

Sanctify the act of conception with prayer for a virtuous child

Third month of pregnancy (when fetal movement first felt; before sex differentiation)

Traditionally, prayer for a male child (vamsha-vardhana); modernly interpreted as prayer for a healthy child of either sex

7th-8th month of pregnancy

Protect mother and unborn child from negative influences; emotional support

Immediately after birth, before umbilical cord cutting

Welcome the child; offer Vedic blessings

11th day (some traditions) or 12th day after birth; some defer to first day of next nakshatra-cycle

Confer the child's name

4th month after birth

Child's first venture outside the home

6th month for boys; 7th month for girls (some traditions); when teeth first appear in others

Transition from breast-milk to solid food

First or third year

Removal of birth-impurity; symbolic offering of hair to deities

3rd or 5th year

Pierce ears for earrings; traditional Ayurvedic acupuncture point

5th year (akshara-abhyasa); often on Vasant Panchami

Formal start of literacy and learning

Traditionally between 5-8 (brahmana), 11-13 (kshatriya), 13-15 (vaishya); modernly often 7-12

Initiation into Vedic study; second birth (dvija)

After upanayana

Formal start of Vedic recitation

16th year (typically)

Marker of adolescence; coming of age

After completion of Vedic studies (traditionally age 25)

Conclusion of brahmacharya; transition to grihastha

Whenever appropriate match found and muhurat is auspicious

Establishment of grihastha ashrama

At death

Last sacrament; release of the soul