New Word / New Experience - Mundan

Yesterday we attended a Vedic ceremony called Mundan for our good friends daughter.  It was quite an experience.  A mundan is very similar to a Christening in the Catholic church.  The idea is that removing the hair that was on the child's head when they are born you are removing undesirable traits from past lives (original sin or karma). 

Below is a chronological slide show of the ceremony:

 

It was a very nice event.  Very relaxed and simple.  There were no real rituals, or odd behaviors.  It was just another Sunday afternoon.  It really reminded me alot of the baptism and dedication ceremonies that I have been to in the past, only this was not done in a church, it was in a friend's living room, and there was not a priest but rather a Pandit.

This will probably seem strange to some, but it was really natural.  A side benefit that I understand is that this actually helps to tone the scalp to allow for a strong new crop of hair to sprout.  That almost makes me wish that I had this opportunity when I was 3 years of age.

Tonight we are having a residents appreciation party so there will be a bon fire, smores, popcorn, ice cream, and fun and games.  It will be a good time.  All in all this has been an exceptional weekend.  All is well in our world, we wish you all the same.