Mundan Sanskar

• New clothes for the child
• Holy water (Gangajal) for washing the head
• Diya, ghee, cotton wicks
• Akshat, kumkum, haldi, chandan
• Flowers for the puja
• Sweets and prasad for distribution
• A small bowl to collect the shaved hair
• Razor and scissors (used by the barber)
• Dakshina for the priest and the barber

1. 1Select an auspicious day with a Pandit's help — typically between 7 months and 3 years of the child's age.
2. 2Bathe the child early in the morning and dress them in fresh new clothes.
3. 3Begin the puja with Ganesha worship — the family Sankalp is recited naming the child, the gotra, and the parents.
4. 4The child sits in the lap of an elder (often the mother or maternal grandparent), facing east.
5. 5The priest chants the mundan sanskar mantras and ceremonially cuts the first few strands of hair from four sides of the child's head.
6. 6The barber then carefully shaves the rest of the head clean.
7. 7Wash the child's head gently with holy water (Gangajal) — said to soothe and bless.
8. 8A small amount of turmeric paste or chandan is sometimes applied to the scalp.
9. 9The shaved hair is collected and offered respectfully — given to a sacred river, buried at home, or as per the priest's instruction.
10. 10Apply a tika of kumkum on the child's forehead.
11. 11Elders bless the child with akshat, kumkum, and sweets.
12. 12Share a feast or distribute prasad with family and close friends.

Mantras are traditionally led by the pandit — these are shown for reference where known. Explore the full mantra library.