May10 Part 1

Whew! what a week has it been.
To start with, tomorrow is the 11th day after Ananya's birth. Traditionally, it is a big day for the family. Back in India, this function would be celebrated amid a lot of pomp ( hungama is what we call pomp in south indian slang and arbhaatam in Telugu) usually in her grandparents house. We call this function as 'Uyyala Pandaga'. Four main events comprise this day:
1. Head bath for the baby ( Infact the first bath for the baby, traditionally!)
2. Shower for the mother ( This is the mother's first shower after the delivery)
3. Prayers for the health of the baby
4. Uyyala ( or cradle ceremony). For ages, this 'cradle' is usually a long cloth( saree) hung from the roof (imagine a hammock hung from the roof) . The baby is ushered into this cloth cradle and is showered gifts by her grandparents and other relatives. The ladies in the gathering sing devotional songs and rock the baby.
Some families use this occassion to name the baby. A priest chants some prayers and the baby's name is written on rice grains which are spread on a flat silver plate.
But, we have decided to conduct Ananya's naming ceremony on her 21st day ( which is May 21)