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Nishkramana Samskara (Samskrit: निष्क्रमणम्) is one of the Samskaras practiced by the followers of [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana dharma]]. It signifies new born child's first outdoor visit or first exposure to environment outside home. It is celebrated as a ceremony of socializing the newborn for the first time. It is the time when for the first time in his/her life the baby goes to the place outside home and the first place to visit is the temple. Divine blessings are invoked by offering prayers to Surya and Chandra devatas for the well being of the baby.   

Nishkramana Samskara (Samskrit: निष्क्रमणम्) is one of the [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Samskaras]] practiced by the followers of [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana dharma]]. It signifies new born child's first outdoor visit or first exposure to environment outside home. It is celebrated as a ceremony of socializing the newborn for the first time. It is the time when for the first time in his/her life the baby goes to the place outside home and the first place to visit is the temple. Divine blessings are invoked by offering prayers to [[Surya (सूर्यः)|Surya]] and Chandra devatas for the well being of the baby.   

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

=== Time of performance ===

=== Time of performance ===

According to various texts the time for performing the Nishkaramana samskara varied from the twelfth day after the birth to the fourth month. <blockquote>चतुर्थे मासि कर्तव्यं शिशोर्निष्क्रमणं गृहात् । (Manu. Smrt. 2.34) चतुर्थे मासि निष्क्रमणिका ५ सूर्यमुदीक्षयति तच्चक्षुरिति ६ (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 1.17.5-6)</blockquote>The twelfth day is recommended by the Bhavishya Purana and the Brhaspati Smrti only perhaps performed with the Namakarana, when the child was brought out of the [[Sutikagara (सूतिकागारम्)|Suti]]<nowiki/>karaga for giving it a name. According to the Grhyashtras and the Smrtis this Samskara took place either in the third or in the fourth month after the birth. The rationale of the option between the third and the fourth month is supplied by Yama, who says, "The ceremony of looking at the sun should be performed in the third, and that of looking at the moon in the fourth month.”<ref name=":12" />

According to various texts the time for performing the Nishkaramana samskara varied from the twelfth day after the birth to the fourth month. <blockquote>चतुर्थे मासि कर्तव्यं शिशोर्निष्क्रमणं गृहात् । (Manu. Smrt. 2.34) चतुर्थे मासि निष्क्रमणिका ५ सूर्यमुदीक्षयति तच्चक्षुरिति ६ (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 1.17.5-6)</blockquote>The twelfth day is recommended by the Bhavishya Purana and the Brhaspati Smrti only perhaps performed with the Namakarana, when the child was brought out of the [[Sutikagara (सूतिकागारम्)|Suti]]<nowiki/>karaga for giving it a name. According to the [[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutras]] and the Smrtis this Samskara took place either in the third or in the fourth month after the birth. The rationale of the option between the third and the fourth month is supplied by Yama, who says, "The ceremony of looking at the sun should be performed in the third, and that of looking at the moon in the fourth month.”<ref name=":12" />

If the above prescribed dates expired, the Nishkramana was performed with the Annaprasana ceremony in the opinion of Ashvalayana. There are many astrologically objectionable dates when the ceremony should be postponed. The above options were based on the convenience of the parents, the health of the child and suitability of the weather.<ref name=":12" />

If the above prescribed dates expired, the Nishkramana was performed with the [[Annaprasanam (अन्नप्रासनम्)|Annaprasana]] ceremony in the opinion of Ashvalayana. There are many astrologically objectionable dates when the ceremony should be postponed. The above options were based on the convenience of the parents, the health of the child and suitability of the weather.<ref name=":12" />

=== Adhikara to perform the Samskara ===

=== Adhikara to perform the Samskara ===