Hindu naming ceremony

[nancerama]

My family have been invited to attend a Hindu naming ceremony at the weekend. I'm curious about what to expect and anxious not to offend any members of my friend's family.

What would my DH and I be expected to wear/ not to wear?

Should we take gifts for the family and the child?

Any pointers would be very welcome. I don't want to be the rude clumsy Christian!

I've not been to one but I'd love to! :)

Assuming the ceremony may be in a temple, I think you should wear something comfortable, but smart and not too revealing/casual. Just as you would if you were going to a christening or baptism.

As for gifts, probably some sort of keepsake. A friend recently had their daughter christened. I'm a pagan and my DH is an atheist so we didn't want to get something religious, but we didn't want to give a worthless gift. We bought a bag of pewter 'wish' pebbles - a set of 5 engraved with wishes for their daughter's future: Prosperity, health, happiness... can't remember what the rest said. I got them from ebay.