First letter reading ceremony (Akuru Kiyaweema)

What is the child’s appropriate age to do the first letter reading ceremony?

Some people say that it should be done before 3 years & some say it should be done from 3 to 5 years.

Because of the modern lifestyle, busy parents decide to send little ones to playgroup classes around the age of 2 or 2 & a half.

So if the baby could talk clearly, understand & pronounce words properly it is better to do the first letter reading ceremony before age of 3.

We did this function on our little one when she was two & a half years.

How to decide a date & time for the First letter reading ceremony

According to Sri Lankan customs, these kinds of ceremonies are done at auspicious times. This auspicious time should be getting from an astrologist according to the child’s horoscope or according to the child’s birth time & date.

List of goods need for the ceremony

Normally some astrologists give the list of items needed for the ceremony but some are not.

Here is the list I preferred.

• Two coconuts (pol gedi 2k)
• Two king coconuts (thambili gedi 2k)
• A hand full of beetle leaves (Bulathathak)
• Five varieties of fruits (I preferred Mango, Wood apple, pineapple, Bael, orange & apple)
• Ripe Plantains
• Five varieties of sweetmeats ( I preferred Konda Kaum, MunKaum, aggala, Kokis, Asmi)
• Flowers in five colors (if possible only)
• Ghee oil
• Bee honey
• Jaggery (UkkHakuru)
• Parched grain (vilanda)
• Milk rice (kiri bath)
• Camphor (kapuru)
• Sambrani Powder
• Incense stick
• Lord Buddha Stature or picture
• God Ganesh statue or picture
• GodSarasvathi stature or picture
• Books with alphabet & numbers
• Book or small blackboard/ whiteboard or sand tray (Vallipilla) to write
• Pencil/chalk

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How to arrange the First letter reading ceremony

• 1^st arrange a table covered with a white cloth
• Then place all three statures or pictures on the table (the lord Buddha statue little higher than other statues of GodGanseh&Saraswathi)
• Cover the table with beetle leaves
• Arrange three oil lamps for statures.
• Keep incense sticks, flowers, bee honey, ghee oil, a plate full of sweetmeats including milk rice, a plate full of fruits, king coconuts & coconuts. (Camphor (kapuru) needs to keep on the coconut)
• After arranging the table before the auspicious time light up the oil lamps &Camphors& smoke of sambrhani powder.
• Then worship Lord Buddha & if needed worship the two gods Sarasvathi& Ganesh.

(As a tradition I arranged Pooja servings to both gods & lit up the lamps but did not chant any Manthra or prayers instead worshipped Lord Buddha & get remembered about SariyuthMahaRahathanwahanse since I believe in Buddhist philosophy.)

 

Note: Sariyuth or SariputhraMahaRahathanwahanse is considered as the foremost of the wisdom in Buddhist culture.

Here is the Gatha of worshiping  SariyuthmaharaRahathanwahanse

How to read the first letter

• After finishing all the religious functions at the arrival of auspicious time suggest to chant Pirith. Then baby’s father, mother, or a well-educated stable person should read the first letter to the child. Then hold the baby’s hand & make the baby write some letters also.

We, all the family members gathered & took the chance to read & write a letter with our little one.

Then let her taste bee honey & applied little oil on her hair taking from the lit-up lamps and blessed her telling “SwasthiSiddham” which means “May it be well with you!”

The first letter reading ceremony is almost done.

I gave my little one a hand full of beetle leaves & guide her to worship elders.

Then cut off a cake to celebrate her happiness.

In order to welcome the baby to the amazing letter & number world, I introduced her to some alphabet crafts, activities & number games which she enjoyed & played with pleasure.

Alphabet crafts

Finger family

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed

Number Train

Finally, we managed to end up our little one’s 1^st letter reading ceremony happily & hope this article will help you to get an idea.

Have a great day!