What is Annaprashan?

Annaprashan, also known as Anna Prashana, Grain Initiation, or Rice Feeding Ceremony, is one of the most cherished Hindu rituals performed when a baby is introduced to solid food for the first time. The word “Annaprashan” literally means “feeding of grains”, and the ceremony symbolizes the child’s transition from milk to a life nourished by food.

This sacred ritual is usually performed when the baby is between 6 to 12 months old, depending on family tradition, regional customs, and astrological considerations.

Annaprashan Muhurat 2025 – Auspicious Dates & Timings

Q: What is the ideal age for Annaprashan?

Annaprashan is usually performed when the baby is between 6 to 12 months old. Boys often have it in the 6th, 8th, or 10th month, while girls typically in the 5th, 7th, or 9th month.

Q: Which Nakshatra is best for Annaprashan?

Pushya Nakshatra is considered the most auspicious. Other favorable stars include Rohini, Uttara Phalguni, Shravana, and Revati.

Q: Can Annaprashan be performed at home?

Yes. Most families perform Annaprashan at home with a priest. It can also be done in temples or in banquet halls/community centers for larger gatherings.

Q: What food is given during Annaprashan?

Traditionally, a small spoon of rice kheer (sweet rice pudding) or plain cooked rice is offered to the baby, symbolizing nourishment and prosperity.

Q: Is Annaprashan the same as Choroonu?

Yes. In Kerala, the ceremony is popularly called Choroonu, especially at the Guruvayur Temple. Names vary by region, but the essence is the same.

Annaprashan (also called Anna Prashana or Rice Feeding Ceremony) is one of the most important Samskaras in Hindu tradition. It marks the introduction of solid food (usually rice) to a baby for the first time, symbolizing growth, nourishment, and blessings for a healthy future.

Below are the month-wise Annaprashan Muhurat dates, timings, and Nakshatras for 2025.

Annaprashan Muhurat – January 2025

1 Jan – 07:50 AM – 10:20 AM, 11:55 AM – 04:40 PM, 07:05 PM – 11:30 PM (Uttara Ashadha)
2 Jan – 07:50 AM – 10:15 AM, 11:49 AM – 04:40 PM, 06:59 PM – 11:30 PM (Shravana)
6 Jan – 08:25 AM – 12:50 PM (Uttara Bhadrapada)
8 Jan – 04:20 PM – 06:30 PM (Bharani)
13 Jan – 08:35 PM – 10:50 PM (Ardra)
15 Jan – 07:55 AM – 12:15 PM (Pushya)
30 Jan – 05:10 PM – 10:30 PM (Dhanishtha)
31 Jan – 07:45 AM – 09:50 AM, 11:20 AM – 05:00 PM, 07:25 PM – 11:55 PM (Purva Bhadrapada)

Annaprashan Muhurat – February 2025

7 Feb – 07:40 AM – 07:50 AM, 09:20 AM – 02:18 PM, 04:40 PM – 11:25 PM (Rohini, Mrigashirsha)
10 Feb – 07:40 AM – 09:10 AM, 10:40 AM – 06:40 PM (Punarvasu)
17 Feb – 08:40 AM – 01:40 PM, 03:59 PM – 10:40 PM (Chitra)
26 Feb – 08:15 AM – 01:00 PM (Shravana, Dhanishtha)

Annaprashan Muhurat – March 2025

3 Mar – 09:59 PM – 12:05 AM (Ashwini)
6 Mar – 07:40 AM – 12:30 PM (Rohini)
24 Mar – 06:55 AM – 09:25 AM, 01:40 PM – 06:10 PM (Uttara Ashadha)
27 Mar – 07:45 AM – 01:30 PM, 03:50 PM – 10:30 PM (Shatabhisha)
31 Mar – 07:30 AM – 09:00 AM, 10:59 AM – 03:25 PM (Ashwini, Bharani)

Annaprashan Muhurat – April 2025

2 Apr – 01:05 PM – 07:50 PM (Krittika)
10 Apr – 02:55 PM – 05:00 PM, 07:35 PM – 01:25 AM (Uttara Phalguni)
14 Apr – 10:05 AM – 12:10 PM (Swati), 02:46 PM – 11:25 PM (Vishakha)
25 Apr – 04:20 PM – 10:20 PM (Uttara Bhadrapada)
30 Apr – 07:10 AM – 08:45 AM, 11:20 AM – 03:40 PM (Rohini)

Annaprashan Muhurat – May 2025

1 May – 01:35 PM – 03:40 PM (Mrigashirsha, Ardra)
9 May – 07:55 PM – 10:00 PM (Hasta)
14 May – 07:05 AM – 12:30 PM (Anuradha)
19 May – 07:15 PM – 11:30 PM (Shravana)
28 May – 09:28 AM – 06:30 PM, 08:59 PM – 10:50 PM (Mrigashirsha)

Annaprashan Muhurat – June 2025

5 Jun – 08:55 AM – 03:40 PM, 06:10 PM – 10:35 PM (Hasta)
16 Jun – 08:08 AM – 05:20 PM (Dhanishtha)
20 Jun – 12:39 PM – 07:20 PM (Revati)
23 Jun – 04:58 PM – 10:35 PM (Rohini)
26 Jun – 02:28 PM – 04:40 PM, 07:06 PM – 10:40 PM (Punarvasu)
27 Jun – 07:29 AM – 09:40 AM, 12:09 PM – 06:50 PM, 09:07 PM – 10:40 PM (Pushya)

Annaprashan Muhurat – July 2025

2 Jul – 07:10 AM – 01:55 PM (Uttara Phalguni)
4 Jul – 06:35 PM – 10:10 PM (Chitra)
17 Jul – 10:48 AM – 05:35 PM (Revati)
31 Jul – 07:38 AM – 02:20 PM, 04:40 PM – 09:50 PM (Chitra)

Annaprashan Muhurat – August 2025

4 Aug – 09:39 AM – 11:40 AM (Jyeshtha)
11 Aug – 06:49 AM – 01:40 PM (Shatabhisha)
13 Aug – 08:59 AM – 03:50 PM, 05:59 PM – 10:25 PM (Uttara Bhadrapada, Revati)
20 Aug – 03:30 PM – 10:00 PM (Punarvasu)
21 Aug – 08:30 AM – 03:15 PM (Pushya)
25 Aug – 06:29 AM – 08:05 AM, 12:49 PM – 06:45 PM, 08:19 PM – 11:10 PM (Uttara Phalguni)
27 Aug – 05:05 PM – 06:40 PM, 09:40 PM – 11:05 PM (Chitra)
28 Aug – 06:29 AM – 12:30 PM, 02:59 PM – 06:35 PM (Chitra, Swati)

Annaprashan Muhurat – September 2025

5 Sep – 07:29 AM – 09:40 AM, 12:09 PM – 06:10 PM, 07:39 PM – 10:35 PM (Shravana)
24 Sep – 06:45 AM – 10:40 AM, 01:09 PM – 06:18 PM, 07:49 PM – 11:12 PM (Chitra, Swati)

Annaprashan Muhurat – October 2025

1 Oct – 08:56 PM – 10:49 PM (Uttara Ashadha)
2 Oct – 07:42 AM – 07:57 AM, 10:16 AM – 04:21 PM, 05:49 PM – 08:49 PM (Shravana, Uttara Ashadha)
8 Oct – 07:36 AM – 02:19 AM, 03:58 PM – 08:22 PM (Ashwini)
10 Oct – 08:19 PM – 10:10 PM (Krittika)
22 Oct – 09:28 PM – 11:38 PM (Swati)
24 Oct – 07:16 AM – 11:02 AM, 01:17 PM – 05:40 PM, 07:25 PM – 11:30 PM (Anuradha)
29 Oct – 08:32 AM – 10:44 AM (Uttara Ashadha)
31 Oct – 10:45 AM – 03:50 PM, 05:25 PM – 10:12 PM (Dhanishtha, Shatabhisha)

Annaprashan Muhurat – November 2025

3 Nov – 07:08 AM – 10:24 AM, 12:39 PM – 05:00 PM, 06:46 PM – 10:52 PM (Uttara Bhadrapada, Revati)
7 Nov – 07:59 AM – 02:00 PM, 03:27 PM – 08:20 PM (Rohini)
17 Nov – 07:19 AM – 01:20 PM, 02:49 PM – 09:55 PM (Chitra)
27 Nov – 07:27 AM – 12:41 PM, 02:09 PM – 09:19 PM (Dhanishtha)

Annaprashan Muhurat – December 2025

4 Dec – 08:56 PM – 11:11 PM (Rohini)
8 Dec – 06:27 PM – 10:52 PM (Pushya)
17 Dec – 05:49 PM – 10:21 PM (Anuradha)
22 Dec – 07:45 AM – 09:21 AM, 12:32 PM – 05:22 PM, 07:46 PM – 12:00 AM (Uttara Ashadha)
24 Dec – 01:49 PM – 05:12 PM, 07:36 PM – 12:02 AM (Dhanishtha)
25 Dec – 07:47 AM – 12:12 PM, 01:46 PM – 03:15 PM (Shatabhisha)
29 Dec – 12:06 PM – 03:01 PM, 04:59 PM – 11:50 PM (Ashwini, Bharani)

Best Day for Annaprashan in 2025

Pushya Nakshatra Muhurats (15 Jan, 27 Jun, 21 Aug, 8 Dec) are traditionally considered most auspicious.
Families often choose dates aligning with the child’s birth star or family traditions.
Ceremonies can be held at home, temples, banquet halls, or community centers. In Kerala, the famous Guruvayur Temple is a popular choice.

Importance of Annaprashan Muhurat

Choosing the right Annaprashan Muhurat (auspicious time) ensures blessings of health, happiness, and prosperity for the child. According to Hindu astrology, performing the ritual under favorable Nakshatras and planetary alignments strengthens the baby’s growth and well-being.

Among all Nakshatras, Pushya Nakshatra is considered the most auspicious for Annaprashan. However, other Nakshatras such as Rohini, Uttara Phalguni, Shravana, and Revati are also highly regarded.

How is Annaprashan Performed?

The ceremony begins with prayers to Lord Vishnu, the protector and nourisher of life.
A priest chants mantras and blesses the baby.
The child is fed a small spoon of rice kheer (sweet rice pudding) or plain cooked rice, symbolizing purity and prosperity.
Relatives and friends shower blessings and often feed the baby a symbolic morsel of food.

In some regions, the ceremony is followed by fun rituals — like placing objects (books, money, toys) before the baby to see what they pick, symbolizing their future inclinations.

Where to Perform Annaprashan

At Home – the most common and intimate choice, surrounded by family and loved ones.
At Temples – many families prefer sacred places, such as the famous Guruvayur Temple in Kerala, believed to bless children with health and wisdom.
Banquet Halls or Community Centers – larger gatherings with extended family and friends.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Annaprashan Muhurat 2025

1. What is the ideal age for Annaprashan?
Annaprashan is usually performed when the baby is between 6 to 12 months old. Boys often have it in the 6th, 8th, or 10th month, while girls typically in the 5th, 7th, or 9th month.

2. Which Nakshatra is best for Annaprashan?
Pushya Nakshatra is considered the most auspicious. Other good Nakshatras include Rohini, Uttara Phalguni, Shravana, and Revati.

3. Can Annaprashan be performed at home?
Yes, most families perform Annaprashan at home with a priest. However, some prefer doing it at temples or in banquet halls/community centers for larger gatherings.

4. What food is given during Annaprashan?
Traditionally, the baby is fed a small spoon of rice kheer (sweet rice pudding) or plain cooked rice, symbolizing nourishment, purity, and prosperity.

5. Is Annaprashan the same as Choroonu?
Yes, in Kerala the ceremony is popularly called Choroonu, especially when performed at the Guruvayur temple. Different regions in India have different names but the essence remains the same.

Annaprashan Muhurat 2025

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