Mundan (also called Chudakarana) is the 7th of the 16 Hindu samskaras — the sacred rites of passage. It is the ceremony of a child's first haircut, believed to remove the impurities of past lives and bless the child with a fresh, pure start.
When to Perform Mundan
Auspicious ages by tradition:
1st year
7th, 9th, or 11th month — most common
3rd year
Most widely followed across India
5th year
Some communities prefer odd years only
7th year
Maximum age in most traditions
Note
Always avoid the child's birth month
Mundan Samagri List
Step-by-Step Ritual
Choose auspicious muhurat with help of a pandit or Panchang app
Bathe the child and dress in new clothes — traditionally yellow or white
Set up havan kund and perform Ganesh puja first
Sankalp — father states the child's name, gotra, and purpose of the ceremony
Apply turmeric paste to the child's head
The father (or eldest male relative) makes the first cut with a sacred razor — typically 5 symbolic cuts
The barber completes the haircut
The cut hair is mixed with turmeric and cow dung, then immersed in a river or buried under a Peepal tree
Havan is performed with mantras for the child's long life, health and intellect
Feed Brahmins or give charity as per family tradition
What to Do With the Cut Hair
- Immerse in a flowing river — most auspicious
- Bury under a Peepal or Banyan tree
- Some families keep the first lock as a keepsake
- Do NOT throw in the dustbin or drain — considered inauspicious
💡 Family tradition tip
Ask your Dadi or Nani how they did Mundan in your family — regional variations are significant. Some families have a specific mantra or add a step passed down for generations. Record it before it's forgotten.