for many people, their children’s first dip into the ganges is a major life event. the ceremony might begin with tonsuring – i.e., shaving the baby’s head – and then the parent or grandparent carries the baby into the river. for some, a splash on the legs is enough; for others, only full immersion will do. either way, the baby isn’t going to be happy about it.
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| see how much fun this is? | i guess not. | and again, not so much fun. |
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| the legs are okay … | … but not in the face! |
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| some babies don’t handle head-shaving as well as others. | fortunately, by the time they get older, bath time isn’t so traumatic. | |
next: the sadhus take a bath.
COHN17 