This was the first Upanayana ceremony I’ve been asked to photograph. Even though I didn’t know quite what to expect, I was very excited about the opportunity. I was assured it was very similar to a Hindu wedding … the main difference being there’s a boy in place of the bride and groom. No problem, then! Having photographed Hindu weddings in the past, that gave me a good idea of what to expect.   I learned that an Upanayana is a rite of passage for a little boy. He stops being a carefree child and becomes a boy who must now focus on his studies.   In ancient times, the boys would leave their parents home and go live at the teachers house to study.