About Mundan (Chudakarana)
About this puja
Chaula (chudakarana) is a child's first haircut, usually in the first or third year. The birth hair is removed with mantras for the child's health and growth — it is said to carry the impurity of birth.
Many families offer the hair at the family deity's temple — Tirupati, Kukke, a kuladevata — and do the puja at home.
Why families book it
- Health and growth for the child
- Purification and protection
- A traditional samskara, done right
Good times to do it
- The first, third or fifth year, on a muhurta
- Many families avoid the child's birth month
What the pandit does
- Ganapati puja and sankalpa
- Punyahavachana
- Mantras before the first cut
- The haircut by the barber
- Bath, new clothes and blessings
Mundan (Chudakarana) samagri list
- Turmeric, kumkum and akshinthalu
- Dough or a new cloth to collect the hair
- Sandal paste (to apply after)
- New clothes for the child
- Fruits, flowers and sweets
Do’s and don’ts
Please do
- Arrange a barber
- Keep the child fed and rested
Best avoided
Mundan Ceremony near you
Read the full guide to Mundan Ceremony — meaning, vidhi, samagri, best time and cost — or see local details for your city.
Questions devotees ask us
How much does Mundan (Chudakarana) cost?
Mundan (Chudakarana) with a verified Stuti Mandir pandit starts from ₹3,500 as pandit dakshina, for about 1 to 1.5 hours. The price can be a little higher outside the metro cities, live video pujas cost less than a home visit, and the full bill is shown before you pay.
At what age is the first haircut done?
Usually in the first or third year; some families do it in the fifth or seventh.
Will the pandit bring a barber?
The pandit does the rites; please arrange the barber — or ask us and we will help.