About Mundan Sanskaar Puja
Mundan, or Chudakarana, is the ritual first haircut of a child. Pandit ji performs Ganesh, Navagraha and Kuladevta puja with a small havan, and the barber is invited at the auspicious time. The hair is then offered as per family tradition.
The sanskara marks a fresh start, as the hair a child is born with is offered and a new phase of growth begins. It is traditionally done in the first, third or fifth year at an auspicious muhurat. Many families perform it at a temple, tirtha or river, and it can also be done at home.
From the Haridwar service listing: Child’s first hair ritual for purity and blessings.
Why families perform it
- A traditional first haircut within a sacred ritual
- Blessings of the family deity and Navagraha for the child’s health and growth
- Muhurat chosen from the child’s birth chart
- Can be combined with a family lunch and celebration
Pooja vidhi, step by step
Sankalp and Ganesh Puja
The family takes a resolve and Ganesh is worshipped first.
Kalash and Navagraha Puja
A kalash is installed and the nine planets are worshipped.
Kuladevta Puja
The family deity is invoked and offered prayers.
Havan
A short havan is performed with mantras for the child’s long life.
Hair-cutting
At the muhurat, the first symbolic cuts are made and the barber completes the haircut. The hair is offered to a river or the earth as per custom.
Bath and Blessings
The child is bathed, dressed in new clothes and blessed by elders with sandalwood or turmeric paste.
Samagri commonly needed
I can bring the complete kit if you ask. I will share the exact list once your booking is confirmed.
- Kalash, coconut and mango leaves
- Roli, moli, akshat and turmeric
- Cow dung or clay for the hair offering
- Kusha grass, ghee and havan samagri
- Sandalwood paste and turmeric
- New clothes for the child
- Betel leaf and supari
- Barber and a new razor (arranged by the family)
- Fruits and sweets
- Ghee lamp, incense and camphor
Best time and muhurat
Usually done in the first, third or fifth year. Pandit ji picks the best day from the child’s chart and the panchang, avoiding inauspicious tithis and nakshatras.
What you get when you book
- The full pooja by an experienced Vedic pandit
- Puja samagri kit, if you ask for it
- Muhurat guidance
- Each step explained for the family
Frequently asked questions
Is a tirtha such as Haridwar or Varanasi necessary?
No. Some families go to a family temple or holy river, but Mundan can be done at home with the same vidhi.
Do you arrange the barber?
The family usually arranges the barber. If you need help, let me know while booking.
