Mundan- A Hindu Ritual for Babies

I just came across an awful and painful ritual that babies in India are subjected to…esp Hindu babies. The kid is not exactly new-born but more or less 6 to 9 months old.


Tonsuring (mundan) is an important ceremony in Hindu communities. 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.

Apart from the Indian community, Chinese and Mongolians also observe similar traditions for shaving the head of their children.

But this ceremony is really a big torture for the poor kid, who cannot express itself in words and resorts to the only medium that it knows- that is crying. The tears appear like huge drops and the whole face is red like a tomato…but it can’t do anything. A slight twitch of the body results in cuts and knick’s which cause further pain and tears.

Further, after the shave it just has to bear the burning sensation and there is no way he may complain about it. Most kids end up looking hideous after the process… Given a choice I would never subject my child to this torture…my poor baby…I would end up in tears seeing him wither in tears! But Indian’s are so custom bound, that they are not ready to budge or forgo such things. You as parents hardly have any say in front of an endless list of relatives, who all claim to know what’s good for your child as this is your first experience at raising kids.

God Bless my Child!!!

Is it a boy or a girl???

I am constantly being asked whether I want a boy or a girl. I wonder if that really matters. What difference is that going to make? Except for the fact that I might get a wider range of clothes to dress up my little baby girl & the choicest of accessory options… both kids are ultimately going to be same!

A baby being a baby, irrespective of the gender is a pleasure. It will give you the same amount of joy and exertion. Seeing any child laugh, gurgle and make sound melts hearts, so does its gender really make a difference. They all look equally cute with their small toes and hands and delightful smile. They all smell delicious and you feel like cuddling and hugging them the moment you lay your eyes on them, so why bother if it’s a girl or a boy?

Irrespective of its gender, its bound to cry in the middle of the night leaving parents fumbled wondering “what’s the reason for these tears”. A parent will never be able to decipher what is the reason for its agonizing pain and discomfort and fret beyond words trying to pacify it. That little bundle is parceled between two inexperienced set of arms who are constantly questioning each other about the cause of tears…till the poor child gets fed up after an hour and goes back to sleep leaving the parents wondering why did it cry in the first place and hoping that the rest of the night its little angel sleeps peacefully with no more tears. I read somewhere that while this game of passing the parcel is on the parents recite a mini poem which is something on these lines-

“Do you think its hungry…but that’s not possible, I just fed him…maybe it needs a change...No it’s not wet…so do you think its hungry…but that’s not possible, I just fed him…maybe it needs a change, let me check…is it possible it’s still hungry…”

The kid gets tired of hearing this poem and ultimately dozes off…

I don’t think that the boy is going to be less fussy about its food, or the girl would give me less trouble in the supermarkets while shopping…a child is a responsibility irrespective of its gender. They are all like little angels! There is a rush of emotion every time you see your child which leaves you amazed with God’s creation. This tiny little beautiful piece of wonderment playing in your arms is a wonderful combination of two peoples deeply in love- You & your husband. Your child is a blessed image of you and your life partner, so it really doesn’t matter if it’s a boy or a girl. It just leaves you thrilled, knowing you created it and it’s going to be a part of your forever...

I saw my Baby!!!

I had my second sonography yesterday…and I saw my baby!!! I saw its spine, head, eyes, hands and a small thumb!! It was such an adorable sight…my kid rolled its fist and gave me a thumbs up, atleast that’s how I would like to interpret it…I also saw its heartbeat…and I was totally amazed. My husband also accompanied me to see the baby, although I must say it was tough to make out everything as it was so vague…but it was a sight to see.


I am in my 6 month of pregnancy and the baby is 11 inches long; the size of a papaya! My weight is going to shoot up from now onwards and I have heard that from next month even a simple walk is going to be an effort…but nevertheless I am counting days and weeks.

My baby continuously moves around in its little house and practices all its acrobatic moves on my tummy. Everytime I talk to it or tell something or even ask a question with options, it responds with a kick or a small punch, acknowledging every word I tell. It is so much fun talking to it this way. Even yesterday, during the sonography it kept punching away to glory because the doctor was putting a lot of pressure on my tummy…maybe it was telling her to just buzz off and leave it in peace…:)

My clothes don't fit anymore!!!

I have become fat…although I would like to describe myself as a cute and plump mother to be…but in normal words it is referred as FAT!! I have put on 5 kgs and weight 60 kgs now.I no longer fit into any of my jeans or trousers or dresses for that matter. And; this has really become a matter of stress for me. Although I knew this was borne to happen, but it can become quite taxing when every morning you have to struggle to fit into a dress and then try and decipher what to wear, because, the dress you picked doesn’t fit you any longer!


It’s not like I haven’t gone shopping…but anything you select even the sales girl comes up with recommendations to buy a size larger! That really gets onto my nerves, as I look like a complete fool…like a flower pot, in those loose fitting clothes which, apparently are supposed to make me feel comfortable and ventilated, but leave me feeling miserable! Uhh!

The other day, I was visiting one of our family friends and although I planned to get dressed an hour earlier, I still ended up being late ‘cos out of the four dresses that I put on, I couldn’t fit into even one of them comfortably! .I ended up pulling out a few stitches here and there from a dress to loosen it up a bit so that I could fit my large frame in it.

My baby bump visible at 5 months

Now being a girl, gaining weight is always going to be a depressing issue…and no matter what the reason it would leave you very distraught. I have already started praying that I can get back into shape post my delivery! Adding to my agony, my doctor told me I may be putting on another 5-8 kgs, in the next 3 months!! Kind of weird imaging myself all blown up! But kind of pleased to think my baby is growing so fast. As of today it weights 500gms and I am going for my second sonography this week..:)

Our first gift to our Baby!

People say the footsteps of a child are the blessed footprints of God in your life; it brings good luck and prosperity.


Well my kid sure has bought us some prosperity. We bought our first house, a huge investment and a little token of love for our child who will play & grow up in its own house! I have had a hectic month getting the house functional. We did a small Pooja with family and friends on Mahashivratri and moved in this month. We have been wondering once the baby comes where we would like to have its bed, what all little stuff would be required. My bhabhi who had come over the other day with her 6 month old baby boy and my child’s first cousin, gave me tips on child management and list of essential purchase stuff.

They say, a child should always sleep in a cot which has been passed on from one child to another and also for the initial few days, they should be made to wear clothes that have been worn by another kid…logic being the baby’s skin is extremely soft and a used piece of clothing which has been washed a few times and worn protects the skin. I didn’t know this and it was piece of information for me! Well I have been getting such tips and pieces of information from friends and family all over… how I should walk, what kind of clothing to wear and what food to eat. These small personal experience stories and anecdotes shared by all leaves me quite enlightened.

I am in here!

This little kiddo has started moving around. The movements are gentle and fluttering sensations like water boiling or something tumbling and rolling!

This young one was really active last night when I could make out the maximum movement…and it was fun! I can finally feel my baby…hehehehe….

Look who’s hearing???

I read this beautiful line somewhere-“The moment a child is born, the parents are also born. They never existed before. Individuals existed before who shared their life together but being a parent is absolutely new. When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.”



Well adding to this thought a bit more, now that I have completed 18 weeks, my little one can hear and make out my voice. So I am actually not alone in my thoughts any more! Also just advising all to be a bit careful about what you say around me...’cos then you know how little minds are impressionable and they are fast learners too!!!

I have started talking to my baby… telling little things about my routine and my daily life. My mother got me the Bhagvat Gita and told me to read to the baby, although not got around to do that yet…but I like telling it more about what I am doing and how am I feeling at the moment…feel some kind of strange bonding…I dot my conversation’s with little endearing’s and keep talking about all the silly things that I do. Its kind of fun, but need to be careful in public, ‘cos then people may think I am kind of crazy talking away to myself all sorts of nonsense!

I also told me husband to get me these ‘Garabh Sanskar’ CD’s, which left him pretty amused, but I read somewhere that music has a really soothing and calming effect on the child and who wouldn’t want a peaceful kid who sleeps at night and also lets u sleep!

Anyways, now that this baby of mine can hear, I am really enjoying my time, discussing my day with it and it sure is a very pleasurable & amusing experience!