8 - Chudakarma Samskara

Chudakarma Samskara is also known as Mundan ceremony where the child’s hair is shaved off. It symbolizes cleansing, renewal and new growth. Mantras are chanted and the child is given blessings for a long life, prosperity and fame.

According to the traditions, the hair from birth is associated with undesirable traits from past lives. Thus at the time of the mundana, the child is freshly shaven to signify freedom from the past and moving into the future. The rite is performed as a special ceremony in most homes, for young girls and boys.