My First Hair Cut

It is a very important custom in my family to perform one's first haircut in front of the village deity. And it is scheduled at a convenient time in the 3rd year of the child. Mine was scheduled in mid-May 2011 during the summer vacation period ensuring maximum participation from everyone in the family.



It was a big event for all of us! Lots of shopping for everyone and of course specially for me! And the same cermony is combined with ear-peIrcing if it's a girl child. So I got beautiful set of gold earrings gifted by my maternal grandparents (Ammamma and thathagaru). The preparation started almost 10 days before the actual date when my Nannama (paternal grandmother) and babai went to our village to foresee all arrangements.



Myself along with my Mom/Dad and Aunt (Purna akka) went around 3 days in advance. My dad became very busy thereafter as he had to look after arrangements and most importantly visit the relatives in the village and its neighbourhood for inviting personally for the event. Finally the day came, and all our relatives started coming in.



Rajasekhar uncle, Sandhya Aunty and Aryan also came down to our village for the occasion. The first important custom was interesting. I was to be weighed in a large weighing balance against equal weight of jaggery. And that jaggery is offered as the Prasadam to the god and distributed to everyone. Next we started to the temple to complete the formalities. At the venue, Praveen mama commenced the task of cutting my hair which was completed by the Barber. After the hair was offered to the deity, I was given a Holy bath and made to wear a beautiful white gown. I was psychologically prepared for this event and trust me I didn't cry at all throughout the event.



Next morning the ear-piercing took place. I cried very little and everyone was surprised!. I enjoyed the rest of the vacation with a "Taklu" look and flaunting my new earrings!



By this time my school admission was already done. I was very much excited to go to school, which was starting in June 2011. Watch out for the next post!