( Lord Ganesha and the family deities · At home or at a temple )

Mundan (Chudakarana)

प्रतिनिधि दृश्य · Representative ritual scene

01 / मंदिर · Temple: At home or at a temple
02 / अवधि · Duration: Providers list roughly 1½ to 3 hours
03 / देवता · Deity: Lord Ganesha and the family deities

A child's first haircut, one of the sixteen samskaras, done with prayers for the child's health and a fresh start.

The rite at a glance

What it is

Mundan, or Chudakarana, is a child's first haircut. It is one of the sixteen samskaras, the traditional rites of passage, and is usually done in the first few years of life.

Why families do it

Traditionally seen as a fresh start for the child, with prayers for health and good fortune.
Some families do it at a temple or river as an act of thanks.
It is a custom of faith, and no outcome is guaranteed.

When it is done

Usually in the child's first or third year, on an auspicious day.
Weekdays usually preferred: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
Nakshatras often chosen include Ashwini, Mrigashira, Pushya, Hasta, Anuradha.
The exact date and time come from the panchang for your city, so ask your priest or astrologer to confirm.

Read the full timing rules

Vidhi in brief

A muhurta is fixed with the family priest.
Ganesh puja is done and the family deities are invoked.
The child sits in a parent's lap and the head is shaved with a new razor.
The hair is offered at a river, tank or temple, or buried in the earth.
The head is anointed with turmeric or sandalwood paste.
Prasad is shared and the priest receives dakshina.

How long it takes

Providers list roughly 1½ to 3 hours

What providers list

Providers list this rite from ₹3,500 to ₹5,100. Most listings fall between ₹5,100 and ₹5,100, across 9 listings from 4 providers. Prices were read on 2026-09-15. Packages differ in priests, place and inclusions, so confirm with the provider.

More rites explained here: Griha Pravesh Puja, Vastu Shanti Puja, Namkaran Puja

( What happens )

understand the rite before choosing.

After Ganesh puja and prayers, the child's head is shaved for the first time. The hair is offered, often at a river or temple, and the head is anointed with turmeric or sandalwood paste afterwards.

( Samagri )

what the ritual uses.

01Kalash with mango leaves
02Turmeric and sandalwood paste
03Rice and flowers
04Havan samagri and ghee
05A new razor and a clean cloth

( Context matters )

check the exact service scope.

corroborated source set

The age differs by family: the first or third year is common, and some families wait up to the seventh year. Some do it at a family temple or on a river bank.

( Sources reviewed )

follow the evidence.

01Wikipedia — Chudakarana (age, family role, offering the hair)Checked 2026-10-04

( वर्तमान स्थिति · Current status )

Booking is not open yet.

Healers World takes no payment for this rite. Compare what providers list, then confirm the date and price with the provider you choose.

Mundan (Chudakarana)

प्रतिनिधि दृश्य · Representative ritual scene

01 / मंदिर · Temple

At home or at a temple

02 / अवधि · Duration

Providers list roughly 1½ to 3 hours

03 / देवता · Deity

Lord Ganesha and the family deities

A child's first haircut, one of the sixteen samskaras, done with prayers for the child's health and a fresh start.

The rite at a glance

What it is

Mundan, or Chudakarana, is a child's first haircut. It is one of the sixteen samskaras, the traditional rites of passage, and is usually done in the first few years of life.

Why families do it

Traditionally seen as a fresh start for the child, with prayers for health and good fortune.
Some families do it at a temple or river as an act of thanks.
It is a custom of faith, and no outcome is guaranteed.

When it is done

Usually in the child's first or third year, on an auspicious day.
Weekdays usually preferred: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
Nakshatras often chosen include Ashwini, Mrigashira, Pushya, Hasta, Anuradha.
The exact date and time come from the panchang for your city, so ask your priest or astrologer to confirm.

Read the full timing rules

Vidhi in brief

A muhurta is fixed with the family priest.
Ganesh puja is done and the family deities are invoked.
The child sits in a parent's lap and the head is shaved with a new razor.
The hair is offered at a river, tank or temple, or buried in the earth.
The head is anointed with turmeric or sandalwood paste.
Prasad is shared and the priest receives dakshina.

How long it takes

Providers list roughly 1½ to 3 hours