Ear Piercing Ceremony (Chevulu Kuttinchadam) is performed to the girl child (in some cultures also for boy child) when they are completing odd months like 7th, 9th or 11th month. If is this ritual is not carried out in their first year, then it can be conducted in the odd years like 3rd or 5th. Usually, in Andhra, this event is combined with the “first-time head shaving” (puttu ventrukalu theyadamu) ceremony.
This ritual is usually performed at the temples. An auspicious day is chosen with the help of a priest to conduct this event under the sunlight . This event is conducted by child’s maternal grandparents and her uncle (menamama).
Carry puja items (like turmeric, kumkuma, coconut, flowers, incense sticks) to the temple where the ritual is performed. Abhishekam is offered to god on behalf of the baby girl. After puja, she will get her head shaved off while the child sits in her maternal uncle’s lap (menamana). The barber will apply the alum (Patika) or sandalwood paste (gandham) on shaved head to treat any cuts. A monetary gift along with a white towel and 1 or 2 kg of rice is offered to the barber after the ritual. Also, the dress which baby was wearing for head shaving ceremony is given to the barber.
After that, both the child and her uncle will take a holy bath at the temple and wears new clothes offered. For the baby girl, new clothes are offered by maternal grandparents, while for her uncle new clothes are offered by her paternal grandparents.
Then she will get her ears pierced by the goldsmith while the child sits in her uncle’s lap. Left ear is pierced first for the girls, right ear in case of baby boys. A monetary gift is offered to the goldsmith after the event.
After the ceremony, food is served to the guests.
Preparations & Shopping checklist:
- Find out the auspicious time to carry out the ceremony
- Invite Guests
- Arrange Puja items for Abhishekam
- Shopping List: Turmeric, kumkuma, coconut, flowers, incense sticks
- Arrange the items to be offered to the barber
- Baby dress, White towel, rice
- New clothes for baby girl, New clothes for her uncle
- SL: New clothes for baby girl, New clothes for her uncle
- Monetary gift for barber and goldsmith
- Arrange food for guests
- Prepare diaper bag
- Carry her favorite toys and food to distract the baby when she cries
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