In the name of vanity
Uttar Pradesh,
India
One of the first rituals observed by most pilgrims is the mundana ceremony, the shaving of the head. Hair is considered the symbol of vanity, and in order to receive the full benefits of a pilgrimage to a holy place, in this case Chitrakoot, one must first give up vanity. Thus, the pilgrims believe that the hair should be shaved from the head in a gesture of surrender and humility.