Sanskar
Mundan Sanskar
The child's first head-shaving ceremony, symbolising a fresh start.
About the Ritual
Mundan, also called Chudakarana, is the ritual first haircut of a child, usually performed between the first and third year of age. It is one of the sixteen sanskars and is often performed at a temple or a sacred site.
Why to Perform
The birth hair is believed to carry impurities from past lives; shaving it symbolises purification and a fresh beginning, and is thought to promote healthy growth of hair and overall wellbeing. It is also an occasion for the child to receive blessings from elders and deities.
Who Should Perform
Performed by the family, with the actual shaving usually done by a barber under the priest's guidance, on a date chosen to be auspicious for the child.