The mundan ceremony of new born child should be performed
after child’s first birthday and before the child turns three years old. Here
is a brief account on how to perform mundan ceremony.
On the auspicious day of the Mundan ceremony, the child is
duly bathed and clothed and sits on the mother’s lap or any female member in
the house.
Father or a male member moistens the hair of the child with
warm water. He offers prayers to Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu and Devi.
He then uses a porcupine quill, three blades of Darbha or
Durva Grass and cuts off a tuft of hair. While cutting he prayers for the
longevity of life and prosperity of the child.
The act is repeated thrice.
He then leaves the shaving of the hair to the barber.
Top hair or tuft of the child is left intact by some Hindu
communities.
Note - if a priest is present during the function, then he
will chant the relevant mantras.
If there is no priest then the family members
can pray to Ganesha.