First feeding of child, apart from mother's milk, is an important Hindu ceremony which is commonly known as Annaprashana. This is also one of the Sanskara out of 16 important Sanskara mentioned in Hindu scriptures. The ceremony ensures and emphasizes the importance of sound health and proper nutrition for the child.
Notes: All timings are represented in 24-hour notation in local time of Columbus, United States with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
All time intervals are categorized into three
Nakshatra: All fixed Nakshatra i.e. Rohini (4), Uttara Phalguni (12), Uttara Ashadha (21), Uttara Bhadrapada (26), all movable Nakshatra i.e. Swati (15), Punarvasu (7), Shravana (22), Dhanishtha (23), Shatabhisha (24), all gentle and friendly Nakshatra i.e. Mrigashira (5), Revati (27), Chitra (14), Anuradha (17) and all short Nakshatra i.e. Hasta (13), Ashwini (1), Pushya (8) are considered auspicious for Annaprashana.
Tithi: Shukla Dwitiya (2), Shukla Tritiya (3), Shukla Panchami (5), Shukla Saptami (7), Shukla Dashami (10), Shukla Trayodashi (13), Purnima (15), Krishna Dwitiya (17), Krishna Tritiya (18), Krishna Panchami (20), Krishna Saptami (22), Krishna Dashami (25), Krishna Trayodashi (28) are considered auspicious for Annaprashana.
Days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are considered auspicious for Annaprashana.
Lagna: Except Mesha (1), Vrishchika (8), and Meena (12) Lagna, all other Lagna are considered auspicious for Annaprashana.
Kundali: There are several rules but if we apply all rules then it would be impossible to find a suitable Muhurta. However we make sure that there is no planet in 10th house. Also, we make sure that Chandra is not residing in First House, Sixth House and Eighth House. However full Chandra in Lagna is included.
General: Traditionally for boy Annaprashana is performed during 6th, 8th, 10th or 12th month and for girl child Annaprashana is performed during 5th, 7th, 9th or 11th month. Annaprashana is preferred during Shukla Paksha and before noon if one can find suitable Muhurta.
Traditionally, the first food which is offered to child is honey, Makkhana, Curd or rice Kheer.