Annaprashana

thumb|Annaprashan offerings

The annaprashana (), also known as annaprashana vidhi or annaprashanam, is a Hindu rite of passage (Saṃskāra) that marks an infant's first intake of food other than milk. The term annaprashana means 'eating of cooked rice'. In Vedic Hindu culture, the child cannot eat rice until the annaprashana has occurred. Importance is given to rice because of its symbolism as a life-sustaining food and a sacred food in the form of kheer. The annaprashana remains an important milestone and the ceremony is celebrated in Bangladesh, Nepal and India. It is also known as in West Bengal, in Kerala, and in Himachal Pradesh. In Nepal, it is also called macha jankow or pasni.