8. Cūḍākaraṇa (Muṇḍan)
The first haircut
In Cūḍākaraṇa the child's birth hair is shaved, traditionally in the first or third year (often an odd year), leaving a small tuft (śikhā) in some families. It symbolises a fresh start and is believed to help healthy growth.
Many families go to a temple or tīrtha for the muṇḍan — Tirupati, Vaiṣṇo Devī, a river bank, or the family deity's (kuladevatā's) shrine — and offer the hair there. It is done for both boys and girls in many communities.
1st or 3rd year · Often at a temple