This is one of the very first ceremonies performed to the newborn baby on his/her 21st day. It can be performed at home, banquet hall or at the temple as you like. We had it at home for our baby girl. This ceremony is performed to put the baby in the cradle for the first time.
Friends and family can be invited to be part of this event. Check out the auspicious time of the day to carry out this ceremony. Some people prefer to go to the temple before the ceremony. We went to the temple and had abhishekam performed to lord Shiva. We have also done puja at home to purify the house.
Decorate the swing to your imagination. Apply turmeric and vermillion (pasupu kumkuma) to the swing first. Then decorate it with flowers and garlands. We use mother’s thalambralu saree as a bed sheet in the swing. Thambulam (beetle leaves, beetle nut, two bananas, one coin, flower) is placed at each corner of the swing as well as under the swing. Baby gets to wear a new dress for this ceremony, preferably Pattulanga.
Elders in the family gently places the child in the swing for the first time, blesses him/her with Askshithalu and swings the baby at a slow pace for 3 times. Also they will break a coconut and shower its water on to the swing for the prosperity of the child.
Then we will ask the guests to bless the baby and gently swing the cradle for her to get used to it. Offer pasupu kumkuma to the female guests in the beginning of the event. Offer thambulam to each female guest as they bless the baby. Food is served to the guests after the event.
Note: The day baby was born is counted as day 1. If the baby is born on Jan 1st, then the 21st day will be Jan 21st.
Preparations & Shopping Check List:
- Find out the auspicious time to celebrate this ritual
- Invite the guests
- Arrange food for the guests
- New cloths for baby
- Get a Swing
- Shopping List: Swing
- Decorate the swing with fresh flowers
- Shopping List: Flowers, garlands, any decoration items
- Arrange Thambulam sets
- Beetle leaves, somp packets, two bananas, one coin, flower
- Arrange these items
- Mother’s Thalambralu saree, Hammer, turmeric, vermillion, Akshinthalu
- SL: Coconut
Sonika Madala's Blog 
Can we do this ceremony on the 11th day ??
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Not sure. pls check with your priest.
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Hello, can you tell where the cradle ceremony is performed, is it at the mother’s house or at in-laws??
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It is performed at mother’s place usually as you would be there at your parents house for couple of weeks after delivery.
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