Mundan
Chudakarana · Choula
The first haircut, performed as a samskara — often at a family temple or shrine, and sometimes as a vow fulfilled at a particular temple.
- Where it is observed
- Pan-India
- Communities
- Hindu families across traditions
- When to send
- 2–4 weeks ahead
- Invitation shape
- A short invitation, frequently at a temple rather than at home, which makes clear location guidance especially important.
Who invites whom
The child's parents, inviting close family.
Timing & dates
Two to three weeks, longer if the ceremony is at a temple that requires travel.
2026–27 date guidance
Typically performed in the first or third year, at an age and muhurat set by family tradition. Confirm with your family's purohit.
The ceremonies
Practice varies by family, community and region — not every household observes all of these.
Puja
A puja performed before the tonsure.
Chudakaranaचूड़ाकरण
The child's head is shaved, traditionally with a lock left at the crown in some communities.
Temple Offering
Where the ceremony fulfils a vow, hair is offered at the temple.
What the invitation must include
- Date and time
- Temple or venue with a map link and travel guidance
- Parents' and child's names
- Meal arrangements
- Contact number
Wording examples
Adapt these to your family's own voice — square brackets mark what you replace.
We invite you to join our family for the Mundan ceremony of [Child's Name] on [Date] at [Time], at [Temple/Venue].
Create your Mundan invitation
Every function, muhurat, venue and RSVP built around your celebration — and shareable on WhatsApp in a single link.
Related guides
Upanayanam
The sacred thread ceremony, marking a boy's initiation into formal study and his receipt of the Gayatri Mantra from his father or guru.
Baby Shower
A celebration held in the later months of pregnancy, blessing the expectant mother. Known as Seemantham in Telugu and Tamil households, Godh Bharai in the north, Valaikappu in Tamil Nadu, and Dohale Jevan in Maharashtra.
Naming Ceremony
The ceremony at which a newborn is formally given their name, often whispered into the child's ear, and frequently combined with the cradle ceremony.