Niṣkramaṇa
निष्क्रमण
Also written: nishkramana · niṣkramaṇa · nishkramana sanskar · nishkramana ceremony
Niṣkramaṇa (निष्क्रमण) is the sixth of the sixteen saṃskāras. The child's first journey out of the house — the meeting with sun, sky and world.
| Number | 6 of 16 |
| Stage of life | Childhood |
| Performed | Third or fourth month |
| Purpose | The child's first journey out of the house — the meeting with sun, sky and world. |
What the rite is and why
The infant is taken out of doors for the first time, shown the sun and the moon, and introduced to the elements with mantras addressed to each.
In many families the first outing is to a temple; the child is placed before the deity and blessed.
The practical logic is sound: the newborn's immunity and the mother's recovery both argue for a period indoors, and the rite marks its proper end.
Where it stands today
Widely observed as the first temple visit or the first outing, usually without formal mantras.
The sixteen Saṃskāras
From before conception to the final fire: the sixteen refinements that mark a human life, what each one actual…
Garbhādhāna
Garbhādhāna — the first saṃskāra, performed before conception. The conscious invitation of a life, rather than…
Puṁsavana
Puṁsavana — the second saṃskāra, performed third or fourth month of pregnancy. Protection and healthy developm…
Sīmantonnayana
Sīmantonnayana — the third saṃskāra, performed sixth to eighth month. The mother's wellbeing, and the child's …
Jātakarma
Jātakarma — the fourth saṃskāra, performed at birth, before the umbilical cord is cut. Welcoming the child, an…
Nāmakaraṇa
Nāmakaraṇa — the fifth saṃskāra, performed eleventh or twelfth day after birth. The giving of the name — an id…
Last revised 2026-08-16. Corrections are welcome — see how this site is written.