Mundan (first haircut)
Mundan, or Chudakarana, is the ceremony of a child’s first haircut and one of the sixteen samskaras. It is usually held in the first, third or fifth year, at a muhurat in the bright half of the month.
Also known as: Mundan sanskar, Chudakarana, Chaulakarma, Choula, First haircut ceremony
Mundan is the eighth of the sixteen samskaras. The hair a child is born with is shaved away, often at a temple, a riverbank or a family shrine, as a symbol of a fresh start and good health. Many families perform it in an odd year of life, the first, third or fifth, while others follow their own family custom.
A mundan muhurat favours light, soft and movable nakshatras such as Ashwini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Shravana, Dhanishta and Shatabhisha, a good tithi in Shukla paksha, and a supportive weekday. Chaturmas, Holashtak and Adhik maas are traditionally avoided, along with Rahu Kaal and Bhadra.
Some families keep a tuft (shikha) at the crown, and some perform the ceremony for daughters as well as sons. Customs vary widely, so family tradition usually settles the details.