Head-shaving

Mundan ceremony

What is mundan?

Mundan is an important rite of passage for children in our Hindu community. It is believed to bestow long life and a good future on a child.Mundan is also thought to be essential to protect the child from the evil eye. Traditionally, mundan is performed during the first year, or in the third year of a child’s life. In some circles, the mundan is done only for a baby boy. However, depending on the beliefs and customs of the family, girls too may have a mundan ceremony.

What happens at a mundan ceremony?

The mundan ceremony marks the baby's first haircut. It is an important ritual, for various cultural and religious reasons. Traditionally, it is believed that shaving a baby's head is important as:

• it rids the child of his past life's negativity;
• the hair on a newborn’s head is impure, and only a mundan can cleanse the child’s body and soul;
• it helps release excess body heat and keeps the baby's head cool;
• it helps relieve headache and pains associated with teething;
• it stimulates cells and improves blood circulation, which may help in the growth of better and thicker hair.

The mundan ceremony is usually done on a specific day, at an auspicious time that is decided by the priest, based on the time of the birth.

A havan or homam is performed by a priest.

• You will sit with your baby in your lap, facing the west of the sacred fire.
• The priest will shave off some of your baby's hair while chanting sacred hymns.
• After that, a barber who specialises in mundan ceremonies shaves off the rest of the hair.
• In some families, the father performs the initial ceremony instead of the priest.

Your baby's shaven head will then be washed with holy water (Gangajal), and a paste of turmeric and sandalwood will be applied. It is believed that this mixture cools the head, and helps nicks and cuts heal.

Your baby's hair will most likely be offered to a deity (in India, it is also sometimes offered to a sacred river like the Ganga). The priest will offer specific instructions on how the hair should be disposed. In some families, a tuft of hair is left on the head (also known as shikha, choti, or bodi). It is said that shikha protects the brain.

Where will the mundan be performed?

Every family has its own traditions for performing the mundan ceremony. Some perform it at home, inviting the priest and relatives to bless the child. Others may ask the barber to do the honours after their priest gives them an auspicious day and time. Some parents take their child to a holy place, or a temple for the first haircut.