The annaprashana (Sanskrit: 31″2t!CIl H, romanized: annapraSana), also known as annaprashana vidhi or annaprashanam, is a Hindu rite of passage (Sarnskara) that marks an infant’s first intake of food other than milk. The term annaprashana means ‘eating of cooked rice’. In Vedic Hindu culture, the child cannot eat rice until the annaprashana has occurred. Importance is given to rice because of its symbolism as a life-sustaining food and a sacred food in the form of kheer. The annaprashana remains an important milestone and the ceremony is celebrated in Nepal and India.

It is also known as mukhebhat in West Bengal, cOrUrJU in Kerala, and bhat khulai in Himachal Pradesh. In Nepal, it is also called pasni.It is an occasion for celebration, and extended family, friends, and neighbors are invited to attend. In Bengali Hindu culture, the annaprashana is an elaborate ceremony called the mukhebhat ‘rice in the mouth’ or mamabhat ‘maternal rice’, where the child’s maternal uncle or maternal grandfather feeds them rice.