Happy Birthday in Hindu religion and culture: – Hinduism is a way of life and since birthday celebration in Hindu Culture is an important part of our life, there is a Hindu way of celebrating birthdays.
However, in the past few years, the celebration method has been influenced by the western celebration method – cutting fancy cakes, giving expensive birthday gifts and throwing a lavish themed party which is at times of their budget.
Birthday Celebration in Hindu Culture
The culture that we have been bestowed by our ancestors is near to becoming entirely faded. The Hindu population is in the verge of forgetting the real essence of celebrating birthdays. That is why this article is only focused on the true Hindu way of celebrating birthdays whatever might be the current hybrid way of celebrating birthdays.
The Hindu Birthday doesn’t necessarily lie on the same day as the English one because unlike the English one, the Hindu Birthday is celebrated according to ‘tithi’ (day according to Hindu lunar calendar). The birthday in accordance with the tithi is said to be more accurately aligned with the real birthday than the English Birthday. According to Hindu mythology, such birthday is also regarded to be more spiritual than the English one.
The reason for this is because while the conception of this (Months and constellations) and their development is done by prehistoric astrologers, priests, and mathematicians according to a certain sketch of God, the English calendars are created by man and their use does not give any pious gain to the person. That is why any human is believed to obtain more Chaitanya through them than through any other.
Every instant after the beginning of the tithi, a person receives sattvik waves which resonates when it comes in contact with its subtle-body and which are essential for the refinement of the body and for removing the black covering of negativity around the person to constantly receive the principles God sends us throughout the day. Not only that but it is also thought that blessings and good wishes bestow the best advantage on the tithi birthday.
On the tithi birthday, the position of stars and constellations is same as that during person’s birth. Therefore, the tithi birthday celebration in Hindu Culture entitles a person to gain positive values that were there at the time of its birth.
The day of the birthday person doesn’t start with a 12 a.m. wish. Instead, the birthdays start the early morning at about 6 a.m. when people are awake and fresh. The day of the birthday girl or boy usually starts off with a good whole body bath (abhyangasnan) but before the bath, the birthday person should have a head to toe oil massage. It is usually the parents and elders who apply some oil to the birthday person’s head and back (spine).
After the bath, the birthday person offers namaskar (obeisance) to their parents and elders and takes their blessings. After this, the birthday person performs ritualistic puja of their Kuladevata- the family deity and offers Abhishek- a ritualistic bathing with milk or water. Following this rite, the birthday person chants the name of their Kuladevata for four times. Then the other ritual includes taking a concoction of cow milk, jaggery, and black sesame seeds.
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Next, the person should turn to the east and swallow the mixture 3 times (achamanam). This should prevent any obstacles the person might face now until their next birthday. Subsequently, the person should remember the names of the 7 chiranjivi’s (by birth): Ashwathama, Mahabali, Vyasa, Hanuman, Vibhishana, Kripacharya, and Parashurama or simply say it out loud. Ayushya Suktam from the Yajur Veda can be recited for a long and healthy life. Optionally, Ayushya Homam may also be performed.
If the birthday person has sufficient time then it is good if they go visit the nearest temple or the temple of the god they extremely believe in. And, if the person can afford, he or she should donate food and clothes to the needy. If he or she cannot do that, what he or she can do is feed green grass to a cow and circumambulate (pradakshina) the cow 3 times.
It is not only the birthday person who has rituals to perform birthday celebration in Hindu Culture, the family members have some rituals to be performed as well. The most important of all the rituals the family members are responsible for is to perform an Aukshan (Aarti ) with a lamp lit with ghee praying the almighty for the wellbeing of the birthday person. It is believed that Aukshan performed on a janma-tithi makes a person reserved and he starts to think about what all he or she accomplished in the preceding year and what next he or she has to get in the coming days.
Then, with contemplation on the Kuladevata or Upasyadevata (the main deity of worship), as Akshata (vermilion containing long rice) is to be positioned on the birthday person’s head thrice. Following that, a sweetmeat is given to the birthday person.
Prayers to bless the person should be recited as well. Additionally, the family members and friends may gift the birthday boy or girl a gift but the gift has to be the one which is not expected of by the birthday boy or girl, In case, the birthday person does receive any gifts, he or she is supposed to respect the emotion with which it is given and consider it to be a sign of love shown by the God too and not just the one giving the gift.
Birthday Celebration in Hindu Culture, there are some Dos and Don’ts that are to be taken care of. The first one is that the birthday person should remain a Brahamacharya during his or her birthday which means that he or she is not allowed to have any kinds of non-vegetarian foods.
Secondly, in Hindu culture, a lit lamp carries a significant level of importance as it symbolizes the spreads light that signifies knowledge that dispels the darkness of ignorance. When the birthday person blows out the candles, the birthday person is actually considered guilty of extinguishing the spring of knowledge and tumbling oneself into a well of darkness.
Additionally, it is not thought to be ideal to play any kinds meaningless games or have celebrities or dancers called upon to display performances of singing and dancing. On the contrary, since for elders, birthday is a day of contemplation, it is a day to recollect memories of the previous year and be thankful to God for all the wonderful memoirs you have collected over the past year. And there are some sins then asking for forgiveness and vowing to not repeat the mistake in front a holy entity is a right thing to do.
Different ways of Celebration Happy Birthday in Hindu Religion and Culture
Hinduism is a way of life, and because birthdays are such an essential aspect of Hindu culture, there is a Hindu style of celebrating them. However, in recent years, western celebration methods have been impacted – cutting gorgeous cakes, giving expensive birthday gifts, and holding an exquisite themed party that is sometimes out of our budget. The culture that our forefathers bestowed to us is on the verge of extinction. The Hindu populace is at the risk of forgetting the true meaning of birthday celebrations.
Significance of commemorating birthdays according to the tithi
Our vibrations are most similar to the tithi of our birth. As a result, family’ and well-wishers’ blessings and well wishes are particularly effective on that tithi. As a result, the birthday should be observed according to the tithi.
The waves existing in the Universe on a person’s birthday, according to the tithi, are favorable to their temperament and attitude. As a result, the sattvik and Chaitanya-enriched rituals conducted on that particular day have a lasting effect on the person’s subconscious mind. As a result, the person gains spiritual strength and the ability to overcome challenges in the future.
Below are the different ways to celebrate a birthday according to Hindu culture.
- Worshipping God and thanking :
A traditional birthday mornings usually starts with going to the temple. Almost all of the cultures and religions in this world think that asking the almighty for blessings is an integral part of birthday celebrations. This is a distinctive element of Hindu culture as a whole; before beginning something new, meaningful, or joyful, praying to God and thanksgiving by kneeling before the divine is very important. This tradition has to be passed down from generation to generation. It is a deeply ingrained ideology that humbles and revolves around spirituality in many ways.
An aarti is performed in many Hindu homes, with lighting diyas put on a silver platter and encircling the birthday boy or girl. On the forehead, Tika (Ashita) is applied. Birthday prayers or pujas are also done to pray to the Gods for longer life, better health, and success. A pilgrimage to the dargah or the offering of chadars (netted flowers or stuff placed gently over the holy tomb) is a regular tradition in many Muslim houses.
On occasion, coconut or dry fruits are placed on a platter. Then, they are encircled around the birthday boy or girl, similar to an aarti, to guarantee that all adverse effects are removed. Similarly, different areas and religions have spiritual ceremonies that they consider essential to start the birthday celebration.
- Glowing Diya and share delicious delicacies to enjoy with family and friends
Traditional Lamp has a special significance in Hindu tradition since it is required to glow at all times. In Hindu culture, a lit lamp is significant because it represents the propagation of light, which means knowledge, which dispels the darkness of ignorance. Thus, when the birthday person blows out the candles, he or she is sinning, extinguishing the spring of knowledge and plunging into a pit of darkness.
In the Hindu religion, light is seen as a symbol of auspiciousness, prosperity, and abundance, and a lamp can produce a glow equivalent to positivity. Light dispels darkness by bringing brightness with it. It is possible to see objects clearly in the presence of light. The diya is a feature of many Hindu customs and cultures. A lamp is glowed daily in practically every Hindu home, regardless of the rural-urban split, about holy or secular spheres of culture.
Darkness, ignorance, and evil are all banished by the light of the ghee lamp. The light of knowledge illuminates the path out of our issues, worries, tensions, and dissatisfaction. Because knowledge or wisdom is the most excellent form of wealth, the light of a ghee lamp is thought to bring prosperity. The wick is a symbol of energy and light, representing the brilliance that a light emits.
Diyos are also used to welcome the goddess of riches, Lakshmi, into the home. We lit a lantern to honor knowledge as the most valuable form of wealth. As a result, light is revered as if it were God. Lighting the lamps at home and feeling the positive vibe and energy should be taught to children.
Calling family members and friends for the celebrations by enjoying the delicious foods also enjoys being with loved ones.
- Practicing meditation and giving thanks to God
Get up early on your birthday, take an early morning bath, and put on fresh clothes. If you don’t have any new clothes, put on some that are clean and neat. This would have a significant impact on your thoughts and give you more self-assurance.
Pay homage at your home’s place of worship and bow down to pray to God with sincerity. Common mantras and shlokas can be chanted. Consider meditating for a while.
- Aarti
Pujas (prayer rituals) are usually repeated at home, led by the family’s oldest female. An Aarti (a prayerful light ceremony) is done during the pujas.
The Aarti is made up of a bit of flame that burns on a wick dipped in ghee. As blessings are dispensed, the wick is placed on a round silver plate and twirled around the birthday girl or boy. The Aarti can be repeated several times as female family members take turns blessing each other. A tikka consisting of rice, ghee (butter), or curd (yogurt), and colored powder is placed on the guest of honor’s forehead during the puja.
- Making a resolution in your life
You must make a resolution (positive ideas) on this auspicious day and promise to follow through on it.
Resolutions must be made to enhance our culture’s development and promote family and societal well-being.
- Have a homemade dessert before lunch or dinner.
Overindulging in sweets on one’s birthday isn’t anything new or unusual. However, the sweet or dessert is frequently consumed first. It is customary to start your birthday lunch with a sweet, usually a laddu or barfi or a dessert consisting of wheat, ghee, and sugar, and then move on to the main course.
In Hindu culture, it is common to assume that a baby’s first taste should be sweet, and they are frequently given a lick of honey to accomplish this.
- Fasting
Bath early in the morning is the first activity that signals the start of the ritual. It is thought that fasting on your birthday will assist you in achieving success in life. Only on this day, a person should let rid of the negative aspects of his or her personality and make a fresh start in life, which would enable him or her to receive God’s blessings.
After fasting on your birthday, take an oath to rid yourself of your demonic qualities and adopt a positive outlook on life. Develop the habit of going to bed, waking up early, exercising regularly, and living a healthy lifestyle.
- Putting on new clothing and distributing chocolates
Birthdays are the most important event of the year for children in most cultures, and they inspire a lot of excitement. On their birthdays, students focus on school, eschewing their college uniforms in favor of a stylish, brightly colored dress. On their birthday, the entire costume is occasionally fresh and worn for the first time. This is frequently followed by the distribution of sweets across the school and the whole class singing for the birthday boy or girl.
- Shaving the head
On a child’s first birthday, his or her head is shaved, as is customary in traditional Hindu families. This occurs regardless of the gender of the child. Shaving the head is thought to cleanse the child of any sins carried over from a previous life and give them a fresh start in this one.
- Reaching out to those who are in need.
On birthdays, another unique method to celebrate is giving and reaching out to less fortunate others. This way of celebrating a birthday is practiced by many people all over the world. For example, providing food, clothing, or money to the needy and underprivileged is widespread in traditional birthday celebrations. This is usually done to distribute meals outside of temples or to offer money to domestic servants. Another option is to pay a visit to an orphanage or a shelter and spend time with the residents.
On second thinking, our elders may be attempting to teach us that birthdays are more fulfilling when we give. Helping others and raising our consciousness to think beyond our existence. Sharing happiness with less fortunate people is also a great way to bring joy. It also reminds us in today’s environment that the best approach to maintain and enhance a sensation of being on top of the world is to make another person’s day better by assisting them. Planting a tree on one’s birthday is considered particularly lucky in some cultures.
- Touching the feet of elders and ask for their forgiveness
We can see the children kneeling to touch both of their elders’ feet. This is a symbol of profound respect in Hindu tradition, and it welcomes blessings from older people. This is a custom that is commonly observed at birthday celebrations, usually as part of the puja. Children touch their parents’ feet out of gratitude for giving them life and caring for them and also ask for their forgiveness if they have ever made their parents sad.
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In this way, the Birthday Celebration in Hindu Culture is done.