"Tonsuring (mundan) is an important ceremony in Hindu communities. Muslims too shave or trim the baby’s hair. Some Sikhs perform kesi dahi ceremony – equivalent to the mundan ceremony performed by Hindus -- by putting curd in the hair of the newborn baby boy.
Among Hindus, the mundan ceremony (also known as Chaula or Choodakarana) is performed during the first year or in the third year of a child’s life. The first haircut is an important ritual and it is believed that shaving the hair rids the child of his past life's negativity. Some believe that a mundan bestows a long life, a better future and also protects the child from the evil eye. In some communities, the hair on a newborn’s head is considered impure and it is believed that only a mundan can cleanse the child’s body and soul.
Some believe that a mundan helps release excess body heat and keeps the baby's head cool. Some also believe that a mundan helps relieve headache and pains associated with teething. It is also a common belief that shaving off the hair stimulates cells and improves blood circulation, which may help in the growth of better and thicker hair."
We hired a barber to come to our home who performed the mundan ceremony. Being the person who hates anyone touching his hair or wearing hats, he wasn't too pleased with someone cutting his hair but he was trooper:
We were all so worried how he'd look after his mundan, but he was as adorable and cheerful as ever. He reminded me of a little Buddhist monk:
Afterwards, the proud Dadaji and Dadiji hosted a luncheon at Star of India restaurant. He was the star of the event in his cute outfit. Here is is with his adorable cousin, Rijul who had her own Mundan down last October:
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