Sanskara (rite of passage)
（重定向自Sanskaras）
![](/Images/godic/202502/09/Om_symbol.svg1753.png")
_-_Hindu_First_Rice_Eating_Ceremony1753.JPG")
![A rite of passage with yajna ceremony often marks a Hindu wedding.](/Images/godic/202502/09/Hindu_wedding_ceremony_fire1753.jpg")
![A new born's Namakarana ceremony. The grandmother is whispering the name into the baby's ear, while friends and family watch.](/Images/godic/202502/09/Peerital1753.jpg")
Sanskara (IAST: saṃskāra, sometimes spelled samskara) are rites of passage in a human being's life described in ancient Sanskrit texts, as well as a concept in the karma theory of Indian philosophies. The word literally means "putting together, making perfect, getting ready, to prepare", or "a sacred or sanctifying ceremony" in ancient Sanskrit and Pali texts of India.