The Thottil Ceremony

On the 11th day both the mother and the baby must take a bath as a cleansing ritual. After this is the thottil ceremony is the baby naming ceremony. This ceremony is usually performed on the 12th day after the birth of the baby. For this ceremony the new born baby is placed in a decorated cradle with flowers, ribbons and such. Kajal (black paste) is applied to the eye lines of the baby and as a bindi on the forehead and the check, this is for wading off from evil eyes. The ceremony is held either at home or temple where the priest offer prayers to the gods. The parents and the baby is presented with gifts from family and friends and each person says the baby’s name 3 times to the baby’s ears.