Long ago a Sikh named Shiva took his child to Guru Angad and sought for his blessing. The Guru recited “Japji”, which consists of “Mool Mantra” appearing at the beginning of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy text of Sikhs.

He sprinkled holy water on the child’s face and selected a letter at random from “Japji” to name the child. This was the start of the Sikh tradition called “Nam Karan” which means naming.

The present tradition of Nam Karan is also very simple among Sikhs. After the birth of the child the mother and the child along with other relatives go to the Gurudwara for the ceremony.

The “Granthi”, the person in charge of the Gurudwara or any other senior member of the family stirs water and sugar crystals in a bowl with a “Khanda”placed near the Guru Granth Sahib. While doing so he reads first five verses of “Japji Sahib” and “Mool Mantra.” A few drops of this holy water are given to the child and the remaining given to the mother.

The Sikh prayer “Ardas” is recited and the divine command “Hukam” read. The child’s name starting with the first letter of the Hukam is proposed by the Granthi and after its acceptance by all, the name of the child is declared. The boy is given the title “Singh” and the girl is given “Kaur.”After the naming ceremony the sacred pudding “Karah Parshad” is distributed to all.

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