Gujarati Barakhadi (બારાખડી) Explained: A Simple Guide for Parents

What Is Gujarati Barakhadi?

Barakhadi (બારાખડી) is the table of syllables you get when one Gujarati consonant is combined with each of the twelve vowel signs. The plain consonant already carries a built-in ‘a’ sound, and adding a matra changes that vowel — so ક (ka) becomes કા (kaa), કિ (ki), કી (kee) and so on.

Think of the mulakshar (letters) as the ingredients and barakhadi as the first recipes. A child who knows the letters but not barakhadi can name ક, but a child who knows barakhadi can read કમળ, ઘર and પાણી.

• Bara = twelve, so each consonant has twelve barakhadi forms
• The plain consonant (ક) has the inherent ‘a’ sound
• Each matra (ા િ ી ુ ૂ ે ૈ ો ૌ ં ઃ) changes the vowel
• Gujarati letters have no top line (shirorekha) — friendly to trace

The 12 Forms, Using ક as an Example

Here is the complete barakhadi row for the consonant ક. Say each one aloud with your child, pointing to the matra that changes the sound each time.

• ક (ka), કા (kaa), કિ (ki), કી (kee)
• કુ (ku), કૂ (koo), કે (ke), કૈ (kai)
• કો (ko), કૌ (kau), કં (kan), કઃ (kah)
• The same twelve patterns work for ખ, ગ, ઘ … and every other consonant

Where Each Matra Sits

The vowel signs don't all go in the same place — some sit after the letter, some before, some above and some below. Pointing this out clearly saves a lot of confusion.

• After the letter: ા (કા), ી (કી), ો (કો), ૌ (કૌ)
• Before the letter: િ — written first but read after, as in કિ
• Above the letter: ે (કે), ૈ (કૈ), and the dot ં (કં)
• Below the letter: ુ (કુ), ૂ (કૂ)

Kakko vs Barakhadi — How They Connect

Parents often ask how the kakko relates to barakhadi. The kakko (કક્કો) is the list of consonants on their own — ક, ખ, ગ, ઘ… Barakhadi is the next step, where each of those consonants is joined with all twelve matras.

In other words, learn the kakko to know the consonants, then practise barakhadi to read and write every combination fluently.

In What Order to Teach It

Teach barakhadi only once your child is comfortable recognising the basic consonants. Then begin with ક, because it is one of the first and clearest consonants, and its forms show every matra plainly.

Move to the next consonant only when the current row is secure in both reading and writing. There is no prize for speed — a child who truly owns three consonants' barakhadi will read faster than one who has half-learned ten.

• Make sure single consonants are familiar first
• Begin with ક, then ખ, ગ, ઘ …
• Master one full row before moving on
• Add simple words as soon as a few rows are known (કમળ, ગાય)

Common Barakhadi Challenges (and Easy Fixes)

A few forms trip children up, and that's completely normal. Knowing them in advance helps you stay patient and point them out gently.

• કિ vs કી — the ‘i’ sign goes before, the ‘ee’ sign after; say them side by side
• કુ and કૂ — the marks go below the letter; trace them slowly together
• કં and કઃ change the ending sound — say them clearly aloud
• Take breaks and keep it playful — frustration is the real enemy

A Simple Way to Practise at Home

You don't need anything fancy — a printed chart, a pencil, and five minutes a day. Trace one consonant's row, say each form aloud, and revise it the next day before adding a new row.

Our free Gujarati barakhadi worksheets give you one clear page per consonant with big tracing lines and all twelve forms. If you'd like the whole journey — letters, barakhadi, numbers, reading and writing — in one book, the Complete Gujarati Worksheets Pack gathers it into a single printable PDF.

• Print one consonant's barakhadi page and trace the full row
• Say each form aloud as you write it
• Revise yesterday's row before starting today's
• Move to reading real words once a few rows are solid