Annaprashan invitation wording, with a guide to the first rice ceremony

An annaprashan invitation tells guests that the baby will eat their first rice, gives the date, time and venue, and says whether there's a puja and a meal. Annaprashan means “feeding of grain”, and it's one of the sanskaras of early childhood. It's commonly held around the sixth month, and many families follow the custom of even months for boys and odd months for girls. In Bengal it's called mukhe bhaat and in Kerala choroonu.

What happens at an annaprashan

Customs vary, but the heart of the day is the same: after a short puja, a family elder feeds the baby a little cooked rice, often sweetened kheer or payesh. In many families the maternal uncle, the mama, has the honour. Then everyone blesses the baby, and a meal follows.

Many families add a playful ritual: a tray is placed in front of the baby with a few objects, such as a book, a pen, a little earth, jewellery or money, and everyone watches to see what the baby reaches for first. It's said to hint at the child's future, and it's usually the best photo of the day.

Regional names and customs

What the invitation should say

• The baby's name, now that it has one, and the parents' names.
• The date, the time of the puja, and the time of the meal.
• The venue: home, a hall or a temple, with a map link.
• Whether guests are invited to the ceremony, the meal, or both.
• A contact number for the day.

English wording

The names, dates and places below are examples.

Hindi wording

Bengali wording

For Bengali families, a short line in Bengali reads warmly. Have a Bengali reader in the family check it before you share.

Choosing the date

Many families ask the priest for an auspicious day, often based on the baby's birth chart. Practical things matter too: a day when the baby is well, not just after vaccinations, and when the grandparents and the mama can travel. Because the date is often fixed only a few weeks ahead, the invitation usually goes out one to two weeks before, with phone calls to close family first.

Practical notes

• Plan the puja around the baby's feeding and nap times. A hungry, tired baby makes the first rice harder for everyone.
• Keep the first rice soft, small and sweet. A few grains is enough; it's a ritual, not a meal.
• If you're doing the objects ritual, decide the objects beforehand and keep anything sharp or small enough to swallow off the tray.
• For a temple choroonu, check the temple's timings and booking rules, and tell guests where to meet.

The rest of the first year

The annaprashan usually sits between the naming ceremony and the first birthday, and the godh bharai guide covers the ceremony before the baby arrived. For the invitation, you can describe a soft, simple card to ShubhLink AI as the AI invitation maker guide shows. More guides are under family ceremonies.