2023 Namakarana date and timings for San Diego, California, United States

Namakarana is an important Hindu ceremony, during which an auspicious name is assigned to a newborn child based on birth Rashi or birth Nakshatra. This is also the one of the Sanskara out of 16 important Sanskara mentioned in Hindu scriptures. For western world, it is similar to Baptising a child.

Usually, Namakarana should be performed at 11th or 12th day of birth. The timing can also be adjusted as per family traditions. If ceremony is done at 11th or 12th day of birth, then no specific Muhurta is needed. Also, if Jatakarma is not performed before cutting the naval chord after birth, it can be done just before Namakarana.

If Namakarana Sanskara is not performed on time i.e. at 11th or 12th day of birth then following considerations are necessary for choosing an appropriate Muhurta.

Nakshatra: All fixed Nakshatra i.e. Rohini (4), Uttara Phalguni (12), Uttara Ashadha (21), Uttara Bhadrapada (26), all movable Nakshatra i.e. Punarvasu (7), Swati (15), Shravana (22), Dhanishtha (23), Shatabhisha (24), all gentle and friendly Nakshatra i.e. Mrigashirsha (5), Chitra (14), Anuradha (17), Revati (27) and all short Nakshatra i.e. Ashwini (1), Pushya (8), Hasta (13) are considered auspicious for Namakarana.

Tithi: Pratipada (1), Dwitiya (2), Tritiya (3), Panchami (5), Saptami (7), Dashami (10), Ekadashi (11), Dwadashi (12), Trayodashi (13) Tithi of Shukla and Krishna Paksha are considered auspicious for Namakarana.

Days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are considered auspicious for Namakarana.

Lagna: It is suggested to avoid movable Lagna i.e. Mesha (1), Karka (4), Tula (7) and Makara (10) Lagna for Namakarana.

Kundali: 8th House, from the Lagna, at the time of Namakarana, should be unoccupied. We make sure that Lagna is not occupied by any malefic as well as not aspected by any malefic Graha.

General: For Namakarana Muhurta, Tara Asta is not considered. On similar pattern, we also don't discard Mahalaya, Chaturmasa, Holashtaka and creation days i.e. Yugadi and Manvadi days.

Chandra and Tara Shuddhi: Proper Chandra and Tara Shuddhi for child should be performed.

To Be Avoided: Sankranti, Eclipse and general Panchang Dosha are avoided. It is also advisable to perform Namakarana during Uttarayana and before mid-day. Namakarana ceremony should preferably be done before Aparahna Kala i.e. approximately during first half of the day.