Auspicious days · India · IST
Namkaran Muhurat
Auspicious days for the baby naming ceremony (Namkaran / Namakarana).
In short
There are 8 auspicious namkaran dates over the coming months (India, IST) — including Sep 4, Jan 2, Jan 4, Jan 10. Each date below shows its nakshatra, tithi and a suggested muhurta window.
Upcoming auspicious dates
September 2026
January 2027
March 2027
April 2027
May 2027
June 2027
Dates are nationwide (India); the muhurta time window shown is for Hyderabad/IST reference and shifts a few minutes by city. Confirm the exact time for your family's details with a priest.
What is Namkaran muhurat?
Auspicious days for the baby naming ceremony (Namkaran / Namakarana).
Namkaran is the naming ceremony, traditionally on the 11th or 12th day after birth, or on a later auspicious day. A good muhurat is chosen from a favourable nakshatra, a shubh tithi and weekday for the child's well-being.
Gentle, auspicious nakshatras and shubh tithis are preferred, while Bhadra, Amavasya, Rikta tithis and inauspicious yogas are avoided. The name's starting syllable is often taken from the birth nakshatra.
The dates below are computed from the panchang for India (IST). Confirm the exact day and the name syllable with a priest.
How to choose a Namkaran muhurat
- 1 Pick a favourable nakshatra and shubh tithi for namkaran from the list below.
- 2 Avoid Bhadra (Vishti karana), Amavasya, Rikta tithis and inauspicious yogas (Vyatipata, Vaidhriti).
- 3 Within the chosen day, use an auspicious muhurta window such as Abhijit Muhurta or Amrit Kaal.
- 4 Confirm the exact time against your family's birth details with a priest.
How this is calculated
Auspicious dates are selected from the panchang by weighing the nakshatra, tithi, weekday and yoga, and excluding inauspicious periods — Bhadra (Vishti karana), Amavasya, Rikta tithis and yogas such as Vyatipata and Vaidhriti — following classical muhurta guidance (Dharmasindhu / Nirnaya Sindhu). A personal muhurta also weighs your family's birth details; confirm with a priest.
FAQ
When is Namkaran usually done?
Traditionally on the 11th or 12th day after birth, or in the first few months on a later auspicious day chosen from the panchang when the family gathers.
How is the baby's name chosen?
The starting syllable (akshara) is often taken from the pada of the child's birth nakshatra as given in the panchang, and the naming is then held on an auspicious muhurat day.
Which nakshatras and days are good for Namkaran?
Gentle, auspicious nakshatras such as Ashwini, Rohini, Mrigashira, Pushya, Punarvasu, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Shravana, Dhanishta and Revati, on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, are preferred; Bhadra, Amavasya and Rikta tithis are avoided.
Can Namkaran be done after 12 days?
Yes — if it cannot be done on the 11th or 12th day, it may be held later, commonly in the first, third or fourth month, or even around the first birthday, on an auspicious day.
What is the procedure of the Namkaran ceremony?
It begins with a Ganesh puja and havan; the father whispers the chosen name in the baby's right ear, the name is announced to the gathering, and blessings are given for the child's long life.
Which god is worshipped during Namkaran?
Lord Ganesha is invoked first for an obstacle-free ceremony, along with the family deity; some also worship the Sun and the nakshatra deity of the child's birth star.
