How to celebrate our Janma Tithi [Birthday] in Indian Tradition

1. To start with, according to Indian tradition, we consider Janma Tithi [not Janma Dina] meaning when we take birth, we consider that tidhi rather than the date [dina], so we celebrate janma tithi because we are following the Chaandramaana [according to moon or Lord Chandra] not Souramaana [ according to Sun or Lord Surya].

2.On our Janma Tithi, We should walk up early in the morning and take abhyangana snaanam [applying sesame oil to our entire body and  taking bath with sunnu pindi or bath powder] before sunrise.

3. After that we have to seek blessings of our parents or elders then we go to a temple to seek blessing from God.

4.Then we have to offer some food or fruits or cloths [whatever we can afford according to our financial status] to some poor people [orphans] or old people [vrudhashrams] or monks[any ashrams].

However, one should not distribute cakes, cool drinks, chocolates, ice creams, etc i.e., items which consist of harmful chemicals, pesticides and some animal fats on the holy day of Janma Tithi.

5. In the evening we should celebrate our Janma tithi with our well wishers [friends] and relatives by lightning diyas [dipa prajwalanam with a Prameeda] which have to be placed in the middle of swastika symbol.

          We have to prepare a Swastika [swasthik symbol] with rice using five colors for the four edges with 4 different colours and middle part with another colour.

After that we have to lighten as many small diyas (pramidas) around the swastika symbol as our age is. If your age for instance is say 20, you have to lighten 20 diyas! 

6.After lighting all the diays, birthday boy has to take the blessings from all the elders for his health and wealth then he distribute some prasadams and some sweets to all invites.

7. He should not blow off the light on the cakes. By doing so, his saliva would be spread on that cake and which is not good for others who eat that cake.

9. Light is the symbol for knowledge [Gnaana] and darkness is the symbol for ignorance[Agnaana] or foolishness. So on the occasion of Janma tithi we should the actually make the light but shouldn't blow off the light which we always do.

Celebrate the Janma tithi in a proper way as per our Indian customs  and let other know about this actual process of celebrating the Birthday.