The Blessing of a Son
Location: Faglod, District Hamir Pur
Hamachal Pradesh, India
November 2004

Photographer:
E.K. Schafhauser

Blessings. Blessings. So many ceremonies must be done in so short of a time when the entire family and village can come together. A new son to the extended family is now anointed into the world at the temple. Marigold flowers of orange and reds are given in honor of the blessing. The women sit cross-legged on mats as their resonating song is carried from the temple to the surrounding village. As the celebrated honorees are surrounded by community and sheltered under the roof of the holy temple, rhythmic clapping accompanies the singing. The mother glances shyly at the camera and then in a brief moment becomes self-conscious, and turns away her smiling face.