13. Keśānta (Godāna)
The first shave — coming of age
Keśānta marks the young man's first shave, traditionally around the sixteenth year, during his student years. It was also called Godāna because a cow was given to the teacher as a gift.
It is rarely done separately today. Its meaning — recognising that a child is becoming an adult with new responsibilities — is now often expressed in other family customs or folded into the Upanayana or pre-wedding rites.
About age 16