Macha Janko (Anna Prashana) is an Important Part of Lifecycle Rituals, says Vajracharya

Nepal Oregon News reporter

Portland, (Nepal Oregon News): Macha Janko, Anna Prashana, Pasni -- these are the words used for rice feeding ceremony to a child in Nepal. The rice feeding ceremony is a celebration in Nepal in which a child is first fed rice, according to Guru Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, the chief priest at Portland's Nritya Mandala Mahavihara.

Macha Janko or the rice feeding ceremony is an important part of lifecycle rituals, said Vajracharya who is also a scholar on Newah Vajrayana Buddhism.

Guru Vajracharya went on saying:"Although centuries old tradition, modern science has established the fact that child's digestive system is capable of processing solid food when he or she is approximately six months old which is why Macha Janko is held for when a baby turns six months old but it can vary between daughters and sons."

Guru Prajwal added:"This ceremony is held at five months for daughters and six months for sons. An auspicious date and time is chosen by an astrologer, special costumes are worn during ceremonies."

Meanwhile, Guru Prajwal Vajracharya was in San Diego, California recently to perform Macha Janko rituals of Alex, son of Bhima and David and grand son of Portland's Daya Shakya.

During the Macha Janko rituals, a Mandap was drawn and Gurumandala Puja was performed by Guru Vajracharya. The Guru chanted mantra, offered worship to Lord Ganesh. Sukunda,  Vajra, Bell and other ritual objects were used during the Macha Janko rituals.

The ritual outfit worn by the baby was made of red silk embroidered with golden threads. The baby was also adorned with gold Sikha, Churi, Marcha and silver ornaments like Kalli (anklets). After offering praying to Lord Ganesh, the baby was offered rice pudding with varieties of food.

It is believed that the child gets similar food throughout his or her life as the food offered on the Macha  Janko day.

A Thayebhu -- a huge feast with rice, eggs, dhau ayala and 64 different kinds of cuisines were offered on the occasion. The event was graced by about 30 people.

During the ritual, the baby was offered toys, candy, pen, note book, book, cell phone and stethoscope on a kisti, but the baby chose to grab a stethoscope. 

It is believed that the first thing the baby grabs or touches determines his or her future destination.