"Chudakarma" or "Chudakarana" is the ceremony of a child`s head shaving for the first time, where a tuft of hair is left on the crown. "Chuda" means the tuft of hair, which is left. This tuft is left remaining because it is believed that an important artery passes through this part of the head and shaving here may prove to be fatal. In the northern India, this ceremony is also known as `Mundan`.

According to the Ashvalayana Grihyasutra, Paraskara Grihyasutra and Gobhiliya Grihyasutra, "Chudakarma" is performed in the third or the 1st year from the date of the child`s birth. This has to be performed in the full-mooned fortnight in north solstice. Chudakarma is an age-old ceremony in which a child`s hair is shaved for the first time. This ceremony conforms to the Vedic tradition. The term `chuda` refers to this tuft. This practice of leaving a tuft unshaven is rarely practiced nowadays.

The Chudakarma ceremony is held when the child attains the age of three. This age is considered to be the turning point in the child`s life since it is no longer dependent on its mother for nourishment and support. From here the father shares the responsibility of bringing up the child and educating it. The hair with which the child was born indicates its connection with the mother and should therefore be shaved off. Moreover this hair is considered impure and not strong enough. Shaving it is regarded as the symbolic cleansing of the body and soul. The new hair that sprouts up is considered strong and clean.

In "Chudakarma", the father also needs to cut some hair from the both sides of the child`s head when some holy chants are recited along with this. He chants these lines while cutting hair from the right side of the head, "O child! I cut your hair for your living, life and prolonged life through that power by which the all-sustaining divinity maintains the life of the sun, air and the electricity.

Then he cuts the hair from the left side of his child`s head along with the chanting of these lines, "O Child! I cut you hair for your living, life fame and prosperity through that power by which the moving air moves in heavenly region, the sun thereafter, till the time of dissolution.

Then, as per the "Chudakarma" ritual, he cuts the hind head by chanting, "O barber! You are the cutter of the hair, you cleanse the head of the child with that swift- soft razor by which you cut his hair and do not decrease his life."

The hair is then put on in the bull dung. A barber specially invited for this occasion then cuts the rest of the hair. He applies lukewarm water first on the head and continues with his job with utmost care. When the shaving is complete, the father gives the barber, whatever is lying near the `yajnakunda` and the four cereal filled earthen dishes. The barber gets some money also.

Depending on the family ancestry the number of tufts are left like the descendants of sage `Vasishtha` keep one tuft and the descendants of sage `Atri` and `Kashyapa` are left with two tufts and so on. The reason behind keeping this tuft is very scientific. As per `Sushruta`, there is an artery at the crown, where the tuft is left. This artery joins a critical nerve juncture and any injury on that part can lead to be a very fatal condition. So to avoid any such situation, the hair of that part is not shaved.

The cut hair is then mixed with bull dung and thrown in a river or buried in the earth by the barber. This process is applied to avoid any black magic done by the child`s hair. This ritual of "Chudakarma has some relation with physical hygiene also. It is believed that, this ritual cleanses the body and soul. The hair grown in the womb of the mother is supposed to be impure and so it is cut and removed. On completion of the shaving, the father applies some curd and butter in the child`s head and after the bathe dresses him with new cloth.

"Chudakarma" begins with the performances of `Samanya Prakarna. Brahmins, relatives and friends are invited for the ceremony. Then four earthen pots, one full of rice, the second full of barley, third one full of phaseolus mungo and the fourth full of sesumum is needed to set in the north direction of the `Yajnavedi`.

Then water is sprinkled on the four side of the Vedi with mantras. Now, the fire of the Kunda is ablazed by `Agnyadhana` and `Samidhadhana`. The mother with her child sits along the western side of the fire, while the father stands in their right. But if the mother is pregnant or menstruating on that day, the "Chudakarma" is postponed. In the case of pregnancy, it can be performed before the fifth month. Otherwise the fatigue of sitting long time holding the child on her lap may disturb her unborn child.

The father needs to give offerings to the fire and pours warm water into a cold water glass, which symbolizes the presence of Lord `Vayu` and goddess `Aditi`. The next step of "Chudakarma" is to offer 16 oblations to the Vedi, which includes four Agharavajyabhagahuti, four Vyahriti Ahutis, and eight oblations of ghee with the eight mantras as described in the `Samanya prakarana`.

In the process of "Chudakarma", some butter or ghee is applied on the right side of the child`s head and then three stalks of `kusha grass` are inserted into the child`s hair. It is believed that the grass protects the child from any injury during the process of shaving.

"Chudakarma" is continuing from the Vedic period and it is apparent from the Vedic mantras, which are recited during the ritual. Now, the guests, who are invited in the "Chudakarma", will present gifts to the child. The ceremony of "Chudakarma" will then conclude with a feast.

The Grihyasutras give prospect of "Chudakarma" for the girl child also. But this is performed without the recitation of Vedic mantras. It is believed that the "Chudakarma" cannot be done at an even-numbered age of the child like at two or four year`s age. It is thought that even numbers are not that auspicious like the odd numbers.