What are the Shodasha Samskaaras ordained by the Dharmashaastras ?

Hinduism believed in the sanctity of one's life and held that there is a supreme purpose in each person's life. Hence at every important stage of humans life, there were certain rites which were performed. These rites were called '' samskaaras ''..i mean the rites to '' refine one's life ''. There are sixteen such samskaaras ordained by the '' Dharmashaastras.