mundana

Mundana, also spelled mundan or mundanā, is a Hindu rite of passage marking a child’s first haircut. Also known as chudakarana in some communities, it is traditionally listed among the sixteen samskaras, or sacraments, and is intended to purify the child and initiate a new phase of growth. The term mundana comes from Sanskrit meaning to shave; chudakarana refers to the shaving of hair and the growth that follows.

Timing and regional practice vary: the ceremony is usually performed in infancy, most commonly in the first or third year, but timings differ across regions and families. In northern Hindu communities it is typically called Mundan, while in many southern traditions the rite is called chudakarana. The ritual is typically conducted by a priest or elder, with family participation.

Ritual elements: the child’s hair is shaved, often leaving a small tuft at the crown until new growth occurs; the shaved hair is sometimes offered to a temple, donated to charity, or kept by the family. Prayers and blessings for health, longevity, and prosperity accompany the rite, and deities such as Ganesha are invoked.

Significance: mundana is believed to purify the child, symbolically shedding the influences of the past and beginning a renewed life. It is associated with the onset of stronger hair growth and is widely regarded as an auspicious event in a child’s early life. Practices vary by region, caste, and family.

Modern practice: in urban settings the ceremony may be streamlined or secularized, but many families retain the ritual's cultural meaning.