A Saturday Shoot with a difference

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A couple of weekends ago, I was asked to take some images at a Mundan Ceremony, at the Hindu Temple in Carlton, Nottingham.  To be totally honest, it was new to me  – family events, yes, but I had a quick google before agreeing, and I am so glad I did.

 The ceremony is an age-old tradition that dates back thousands of years and involves shaving off the hair of the child, when they are between 1 and 3 years old. In this case, Ivaan was 18 months, and I my first thoughts were of a screaming child, who was uncertain and unsure of what was happening –  and I had been trying to think of ways to capture images of celebration without tears and yells! (Spoiler – I need not have worried.)
 
After a few emails and phone calls beforehand, I’d a good idea of what was going to be happening during the ceremony and what images the couple were wanting to see in the final gallery, I opened the doors of the Temple, feeling curious and excited, ready to go!

Family and friends enjoyed food together first, and we caught a few last images of Ivaan with his hair before heading into the Temple.  The immediate family sat on the floor with the priest, with Ivaan on his mum’s  knee, quite happily taking it all in.  The priest began the ceremony of which there were many parts of rituals. I can claim no real idea of what was being said, only the basics that I had looked up earlier, but it was obviously full of love, calm and peace with family and friends watching on.  

The time for cutting hair was next and nothing but intrigue from the little one to be seen;  rice cakes, a favourite program as the time went on and great planning from mum and dad – with only the occasional glance up and smile at the barber to check who was there – and an amazingly calm time while his hair was shaved. 

Afterwards, a quick shower and a second part to the ceremony.  Ivaan was still all smiles and looking gorgeous; when mum placed a hand on her husband, as part of the ceremony and rituals, Ivaan was not to be left out, and joined in, reaching for dad too. The same with sprinkling oil and spices into the fire. A totally precious curiosity and love shining through it all.

Feast India Events provided a delicious spread of food and I left the family and friends celebrating together, feeling privileged to have been part of such a lovely event.