Birth Anniversary Rituals (Ghunti and Hanchal)
🕒 On the day the baby is born.
What is this about? (History)
The very first rituals performed immediately after a baby's birth, including the sweet Ghunti (first drink) and the ceremonial opening of the mother's lapel for the first feeding.
Things to Buy / Requirements
- Hot jaggery water (Ghunti)
- Raw milk
- Red comb
- Roli, Moli, and Rice
- Knife
- Coconut
- 7 small dough fruits (wheat flour mixed with turmeric)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Birth Ghunti: The elders of the family give the newborn baby hot jaggery water to drink. It is believed the child inherits the qualities of the person who gives the Ghunti.
2
Opening the Lapel (Hanchal): In the evening, the baby's paternal aunt (Bhua) dips a red comb in raw milk and lightly rubs it on the mother's breasts.
3
She applies tilak and rice to both mother and child, and ties Moli on the mother.
4
The aunt playfully insists on receiving a gift (Neg) before allowing the mother to formally open her lapel and feed the baby.
5
A knife and coconut are kept under the mother's bed for one and a quarter months for protection.
6
Songs of joy (Mangalsad) are sung, and the family celebrates by playing a bronze plate (Thali) if it's a boy.