choosing a name for a baby
About one billion people live in india. most of these people are Hindu. the hindu religion is also a way of life. in the hindu religion these are sixteen ceremonies in all. for each ceremony there is aspecial fire and ceremonies is choosing a name for a baby. the birth of a baby is a happy time in a hindu family. soon after the baby is born. the parent wash the baby and write the word om on the baby's tongue. they write the word in honey with a pen of gold. Om is a special word in the hindu religion. hindu say this word over and over again when they are praying. twelve days after the baby is born. a priest visits the family to name the baby. the priest makes a horoscope for the baby. to make this horoscope the priest writes down where the stars and planets were at the time the baby was born. from this he reads the baby future and suggests a good namefor the baby. many children have names of hindu gods and goddesses or have names with other religious meanings. at the ceremony there are gusts. the mother holds the baby. the father is on one side. in front of them there is a plant with rice on it. the father uses a long. thin piece of gold to write the name of the family god. the baby's name in the baby right ear. the priest then blesses the baby. he also blesses the candies and food and then passes them to the guests. this ends the ceremony of giving a name to a baby.