"Choroonu" - Rice Ceremony

Baby's first grain of rice

A very big tradition in various parts on India that has been called by different names - Annaprashan, Mukhebhat in Bengal and Choroonu in Kerala. It is a ceremony where one gives rice to the baby for the first time. Usually at or past six months - its his initiation into adulthood. In older times, this is often, babies first visit to the temple.

We decided to have our son's ceremony at Guruvayoor temple- one of the most holy [and busiest] places for a Malayalee. Being a big event we invited all our near and dear ones to come bless the little one and be a part of the ceremony.

Its been a while since my visit to Guruvayoor and a lot seems to have changed. As with most temples across India - you are not allowed to carry any cameras, not even a cell-phone. There are throngs of people at every corner of the temple and outside. You can consider yourself lucky if you get a moment alone with the Lord Himself.

Some things haven't changed though --the Guruvayoor Devaswom Board -- the 'GO' guys [as often mentioned by my dad] are still saying - "Keep moving", "Don't Block", "Keep Moving". Its still a mega shopping area - all around the temple. The Lord seems to surrounded by all things money could buy, though they flock to Him for guidance and help.

But I guess I am digressing from the subject at hand -- Choroonu is now held at Padinarayanada-west side of the temple. As with many things in the temple, it happened quickly and with blink of an eye, Choroonu is complete and you have been asked to leave.

Looking back, what did happen? The priest asked the father - in olden days, it's the child's Amavan [uncle from mother's side] - that does the official giving of food - to sit with baby on his lap. Mom sits next to them. They are asked to pray for the Lord's blessings. A full-blown sadya [ literally means a feast with at least 12+ items] is served in the traditional plantain leaf. Everyone around - dad, mom, grandparents can give the food [just a tiny, tiny bit] to the kid. Each and every item is given - so that all the flavors are introduced to the baby.

But even though the fleeting moment was gone in an instant it was by far an incredible event. Of course nothing compared to miracles that my son is doing each day, learning words, rolling over, (almost) crawling. Probably because for a Malayalee Guruvayoorappan [Lord Krishna] has a special place in their hearts. It also means that the initiation of your son's life into adulthood has begun with Lord's blessings!