How many types of "SANSKAR" in our life,according to Hindu Culture ?  

Rituals are basically an art of worshipping the God. Vedic Rituals are called Samskaras, means refinement are carried out throughout the whole life cycle. Hinduism prescribes both ritual and spiritual practices for the final liberation of men. The ritual aspect is meant to make man more spiritual in the end. Each and every important event in the life a Hindu, who has chosen to lead a normal householder's life calls for the performance of certain rites. These rites are intended mainly to invoke the blessings of various gods and ensure success in the performance of his ordained duties. They are performed during various stages in his life for different ends. There are 16 Samskaras, details below:
Garbhadhana....Ritual to guarantee conception
Pumsavana....Ritual to protect fetus and to have a boy
Simantonnayana....Ritual at the last month of pregnancy
Jatakarana....Preparatio n of astrological chart of child
Namakarana....Naming the child
Nishkaramana....Taking the child out of the house for the first time
Annaprasana...First feeding of rice to the child
Chudakarana...First cutting of hair of the child
Karnavedha....Boring ear lobes of the child
Vidyarambha....Beginning of child learning alphabets
Upanayana...Wearing of holy threads by boys
Vedarambha...Commencement of the Vedic studies
Keshante....First shaving of the child's head
Samavartana....Home coming after completion of Vedic Studies
Vivaha...Marriage Rituals
Anthyesthi...Funeral rituals
Shraddha...Rituals at the time of death, these lasts for 12 days and is carried out to ensure that the departed soul is at ease and it goes to heaven where there are lesser difficulties.
Tirtha Yatra..Ritual of going to holy places for purification and redemption from sin.
source:: http://www.nandanmenon.com/Sanatana Dharma.htm

Answered by Tingtong S at 10:45 PM on October 13, 2008

hi Tarachand, according to Hindu culture there are 16 types of SANSKAR in our life
GARBHADHAN,
PUNSAVANA
SIMINTONNAYANA
JATAKARMA
NAMAKARANA
NISHKRAMANA
ANNAPRASHANA
CHU DKARAM
KARNVEDH
UPANAYANA
V EDARAMBHA
SAMAVARTANA
VIVAHA
VANPRASTHA
SANYASA
ANTYESH TI

Answered by Debashis at 7:56 AM on October 12, 2008

There are 16 Samskaras.
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The Samskāra are a series of Sacraments, Sacrifices and Rituals that serve as rites of passage and mark the various stages of the Human life and to signify entry to a particular Ashrama. All Human beings, especially the Dvija or twice-born are required to perform a number of sacrifices with oblations for gods, Ancestors and Guardians in accordance with the Vedic dictums for a Dharmic or righteous life.

Sanskar is a commonly used variant of the sanskrit word 'Samskara' and signifies cultural heritage and upbringing in modern Hindi.

Most Vedic rituals consist of Homa - fire sacrifies of elaborate and intrinsic designs and complex methodology, accompanied by recitation of Vedas by qualified Priests in honor of a particular Demigod or god, fire offerings of various ingredients, gifts to be given in charity, presence of elders for blessings, amidst sanctified sacrificial grounds, sacred herbs and good omens. Each important milestone of a Human life is to be celebrated by undertaking a particular Samskara wherein the significance of that milestone is ritualistically conveyed.

Since ancient times there has remained a dispute between experts on the total number of samskara that exist. As written in Gautamsmriti 8.8 there are 40 of them, Maharshi Agnirane directed of 25 of them, but according to the Puranas, 12 or 16 of them are main and necessary. These ceremonies are enjoined on the first three (twice-born) castes in Manusmrti and Grhya Sutras (Grihya Sutras) (esp.Pāraskar) : Some list 42 samskaras , ie the 16 listed below , plus the 21 compulsory Yajnas , plus the 5 panchamahayajnas .

1. garbhādhāna, the act of conception or insemination (literally, gifting the womb),Manusmrti 2.27
2. puṃ-savana,upon conception,in SED Monier-Williams cites Grihya-Sutra,MBh.
3. sīmantonnayana, during pregnancy,in SED MW cites Grihya-Sutra.
4. jāta-karman, birth-rites ,Manusmrti 2.27
5. nāmakarman, naming ,Manusmrti 2.30
6. niṣkramaṇa, at one and a half months or four months, Mn.2.34
7. anna-prāshana, at 6 months first food (cereals), Mn.2.34
8.cūḍā-karman or mundana,child's hair is cut for the first time,Mn.2.27,35
9. Karṇa-vedha, ear-piercing,MW cites Purāna-Sarvasva.
10. Vidyārambha,commencement of studies, Mn.2.69
11. upanayana, wearing of the sacred thread at 6-8 years of age.,Manusmrti 2.27
12. Vedārambha, commencement of Vedic studies, Mn.2.71
13. keśānta, getting rid of hairs, Mn.2.65
14. samāvartana (Samavartanam ), completion of education, end of brahmachaya-āśrama, Mn.3.4
15. vivāha, marriage, Mn.3.4
16. Antyeṣti, last rites at death

Answered by Point at 6:55 AM on October 12, 2008

Like the daily routine, the routine of the life is also regular. Studying the human life since, its birth till death, in detail, our great sages have outlined certain consecrations for the all round development of the life - "Such a development that embraces holistic progress. We call these beautiful rules, formed by our great sages, the rules for the routine of the life. Consecrations are the major part of this routine of life.
Two kinds of materials are available in the world; One is PRAKRIT - that is natural and second is Sanskrit - cultured.

PRAKITI - The nature - is the working force of the native primitive man (ADIPURUSH) and is the base of the whole Universe. All the visible and invisible materials are as if the toys created by this innocent girl that is PRAKRITI. Every moment she plays with these toys. Human being is also a toy made by the nature i.e. PRAKRITI. Every moment she plays with these toys. Human being is also a toy made by the nature (Prakriti). But it is somewhat extra ordinary type of toy. This peculiarity is nothing but the knowledge of the human being. With the power of the knowledge human being revolts against the nature, although he also a dependent top only. He is not pleased to see the things created by nature in their natural form. Instead he feels happy trimming and culturing the natural things and making them useful for him. This strong feeling of consecration is the second peculiarity of human being.

Things Produced by nature are called natural in their raw form. These natural things are called cultured only after human being revises or minimizes them and consequently these are converted into refined forms. Nature has created cotton, wood etc., but man refined them in various ways and made beautiful clothes from them. These beautiful clothes are the lively example of man's consecrational feelings or cultural desires.

Today's luxurious or cultural desires world is also beautiful result of the same feeling of the man. It means to say that this cultural feeling is the main reason for the man reaching the top of the civilization. This feeling is also a gift of God and natural. Sixteen consecrations of the Vedas are pure and refined form of this feeling. It can be checked scientifically also. Seeds of the major produces are specially cultured now days so that they can produce more and the plants could appear beautiful.Consecrations are needed the most today, Today, when we conceptualizes world - Union - a union in the wings of which every citizen would be equal and there would be no upper or lower class. Then we have to rejuvenate those Consecrations at this occasion, in which generous and reverence feelings have special place. This is the call of the humanity also everywhere at this time. Humanity is now absorbing the historical significance of the caste, class, religion, tradition and culture. Tortured by the so called the disturbance of the class difference, man wishes to establish fraternity and unity among the entire human being of the world. It is an auspicious sign. If we become human in real sense, all of the inhuman happenings that occur in the name of religion, caste and nation would be ceased. But, for this refuge is to be taken in the SANATAN DHARMA that is the old perpetual religion. Creation of that Universal human, complete in physical and spiritual ways, would be possible through these consecrations otherwise not.

All the countries and all the castes have some kind of culture. But, the highly ideal culture of unity, love and universal fraternity, that is seen in Vedic hymns is rare anywhere else.

Scriptures like Vedas, show greater significance of the consecrations. Even a man needs to be cultured in order to get social rights. If a boy, even though having (Dwija) Brahman parents is uncultured, can't be Brahman, Shruti has given the culture the same significance that it gives to the birth. By DWIJA is meant one who is born twice, fi

Answered by Vipan Thapar at 6:39 PM on October 11, 2008

There are 16 types of "SANSKAR" in our life, according to Hindu Culture.

The way Hindu lives, is wrapped around various rites called Sanskar. The Sanskar is said to be helping for achieving spiritual nourishment, peace of mind and ultimately moksha.

Sansar give a spiritual touch to the important events at different stages of a Hindu liferight from pre-birth to post-death.

These sixteen Sanskar are as follows

1) GARBHADHAN,

Garbhadana. All sources recognize this as the first Sanskar. This is the enthusiastic prayer for a child. This is done for fulfillment of parental duty to continue the race. This sanskar is limited to the family members. This is performed by husband.

2) PUNSAVANA,

Punsavana. This second Sanskar is performed during the third or the fourth month of pregnancy.
The significance of this Sanskar is to invoke divine and good qualities in the chield. According to our ancient Shastras, this ritual is performed in the desire for a male child. The reason for expecting male child is believed to be in the belief that it is the male child who carries the Vansha forward. Like the first Sanskar i.e. Garbhadhan, Punsavana Sanskar is also restricted to the family members.

3) SIMINTONNAYANA,

Simintonnayana. This Sanskar is performed during the seventh month of pregnancy and prayers are offered for the healthy physical and mental growth of the child.

The other importance of this Sankar is to free the expectant mother free from worries since the last 3 months are very difficult for pregnant woman- both physically and mentally.

On the day of this Sanskar, the expectant mother gets food of her desire.

Only women are invited for this ritual and the gathering is kept small The husband performs this ritual.

4) JATAKARMA,

Jatakarma. This Sanskar is performed at the birth of a child as a welcome sign to the new born child into the family.

Brahmins chant Mantras for a healthy, long life of the child. This Sanskar is restricted to the family level.

During this Sanskar, the father feeds honey to the baby and pierces the baby's ear. This ear piercing is supposed to enhance the memory of the child

5) NAMAKARANA,

Namkaran. This Sanskar is performed on the tenth , eleventh or twelth day with recitation of Mantras. The baby child gets name on completion of this Sankar.

6) NISHKRAMANA,

Nishkramana. This Sanskar is performed when the child is taken out of the home for the first time.

The reason for this Sanskar is to show obedience to the sun, moon, fire, wind etc, -the Panchmahabhut

This is supposed to enhance the age and physical and mental development of the child.

7) ANNAPRASHANA,

Annaprasana. This Sanskar is performed on sixth month , when the child gets solid food for the first time. Mantras recited and oblations are offered to the various deities.

8) CHUDKARAM,

Chudkaram. This Sanskar is shaving the head of child. This is done in first of third year of the child. The body of the child is protected and harmonized by these ceremony.

9) KARNVEDH,

Karnvedh. This Sanskar is performed in the firth or the seventh year or at the end of the first year with Chudkaram Sanskar.

10) UPANAYANA,

Upanayana. This is the most important Sanskar , which marks the beginning of the next stage of life Youth. The word Upanayana means bringing near. The child is bought near to the Guru. This Sanskar is second birth for child A spiritual birth. This Sanskar is performed during six to nine years of child.

11) VEDARAMBHA,

This Sanskar is done along with Upanayana. The setting up with the Sacred thread entitles the child to study the Vedas and participate in Vedic functions.

The child commences his journey on the road to spiritual

Answered by Yogeshwar at 5:20 PM on October 11, 2008

Dear Tara !

Every SANSKARA relates with the " Eshwaranubhuti"
from various and variable realizations of our Great Rishi.
However the COMMON AND most practiced Sanskara are :
Garbhadhan, Punsavan, janma -sanskar, Namkaran, annaprashan,
mundan, karnavedhan, janeu -upanayana-vidyarambha-samvartana,
vivaha, and antyeshti.

However,

The very few as in all above SANSKARA is
followed by the HINDUS of today.

Thanks, with divine love and blessings.......................... .............shiva.

Answered by SHIVA SHANKE at 1:15 PM on October 11, 2008

The Samskāra are a series of Sacraments, Sacrifices and Rituals that serve as rites of passage and mark the various stages of the Human life and to signify entry to a particular Ashrama. All Human beings, especially the Dvija or twice-born are required to perform a number of sacrifices with oblations for gods, Ancestors and Guardians in accordance with the Vedic dictums for a Dharmic or righteous life.
Sanskar is a commonly used variant of the sanskrit word 'Samskara' and signifies cultural heritage and upbringing in modern Hindi.

Maharshi Agnirane directed of 25 of Sanskara, but according to the Puranas, 12 or 16 of them are main and necessary.

1. garbhadhana, the act of conception or insemination (literally, gifting the womb)
2. puṃ-savana,upon conception,
3. simantonnayana, during pregnancy,
4. jata-karman, birth-rites ,
5. namakarman, naming ,
6. niṣkramaṇa, at one and a half months or four months,
7. anna-prashana, at 6 months first food (cereals),
8.cuḍa-karman or mundana,child's hair is cut for the first time,
9. Karṇa-vedha, ear-piercing,
10. Vidyarambha,commencement of studies,
11. upanayana, wearing of the sacred thread at 6-8 years of age.,
12. Vedarambha, commencement of Vedic studies,
13. keśanta, getting rid of hairs,
14. samavartana (Samavartanam ), completion of education, end of brahmachaya-asrama,
15. vivaha, marriage,
16. Antyeṣti, last rites at death

Answered by Shishir at 12:04 PM on October 11, 2008