A mundan invitation tells guests about a child's first haircut ceremony: the child's name, the date, the time, the place, and whether there's a puja and a meal. Mundan, also called chudakarana, is one of the sanskaras of childhood, commonly held in the first or third year. Families hold it at home, at a temple, or at a pilgrimage place connected with the family, so the invitation's most important detail is often where to go.
What happens at a mundan
Customs vary by region and family. A common pattern:
- A short puja, often to Ganesh and the family deity.
- The child sits on a parent's lap, usually the mother's, sometimes the maternal uncle's.
- The barber, or the priest, shaves the child's head, sometimes leaving a small tuft.
- The hair is collected and offered, often in a river or at a temple.
- A paste of sandalwood or turmeric is applied to soothe the scalp.
- The child is bathed, dressed in new clothes and blessed by the elders.
- A meal for family and guests follows.
Timing varies
Some families do the mundan in the first year, some in the third, and some in a particular month or on a day the priest suggests. Ask the elders what your family follows.
Where families hold it
| Place | Why families choose it | What the invitation needs |
|---|---|---|
| At home | Comfortable for the child, easy for elders | The address and a time |
| A local temple | A blessing at the deity's door | Temple name, timing rules, where to meet |
| The family deity's temple | Tradition, often in the native village | Travel details, and whether the family is arranging stay |
| A pilgrimage place | Families with a vow or custom, such as offering hair at a well-known shrine | The date, the meeting point and any booking |
What to include
- The child's name and the parents' names.
- The date, and the time of the puja or the haircut.
- The place, with a map link or a meeting point.
- The meal time, if there is one.
- A contact number for the day, especially for a temple visit.
English wording
The names, dates and places below are examples.
Our little Vivaan is ready for his first haircut.
Join us for his mundan ceremony
Sunday, 7 February 2027, 9 am
Lunch at 12:30 pm
Our home: 22, Shanti Nagar, Jaipur
Pooja and Rohit Sharma
With the blessings of our kuldevi,
we invite you to the mundan of our son Vivaan
Sunday, 7 February 2027, 8:30 am
Shri Kaila Devi temple, Karauli
Lunch at the dharamshala after the ceremony
Meeting point: the main gate, 8 am
Hindi wording
॥ श्री गणेशाय नमः ॥
मुंडन संस्कार
हमारे लाडले विवान के मुंडन संस्कार के शुभ अवसर पर
आप सपरिवार सादर आमंत्रित हैं।
रविवार, 7 फ़रवरी 2027, प्रातः 9 बजे
भोजन: दोपहर 12:30 बजे
स्थान: 22, शांति नगर, जयपुर
निवेदक: पूजा एवं रोहित शर्मा
In Gujarati families: babri
Gujarati families usually call the first haircut babri (બાબરી). Many travel to the temple of their kuldevi for it, such as Bahucharaji, and the invitation then doubles as a travel note.
॥ શ્રી ગણેશાય નમઃ ॥
બાબરી પ્રસંગ
અમારા લાડકા વિવાનના બાબરી પ્રસંગે
આપ સહપરિવાર પધારશોજી.
રવિવાર, 7 ફેબ્રુઆરી 2027, સવારે 9 વાગ્યે
ભોજન: બપોરે 12:30 વાગ્યે
સ્થળ: ઘરે, 'શ્રીજી કૃપા', અડાજણ, સુરત
Tips for a calm morning
- Schedule around the child. Morning, after a feed and before a nap, usually goes best.
- Keep the crowd near the child small. A circle of curious relatives makes most toddlers nervous.
- Bring a distraction: a favourite toy, a song on a phone, a snack for afterwards.
- Choose an experienced barber, and have a soft towel and the sandalwood paste ready.
- Plan the bath and new clothes for straight afterwards, so loose hair doesn't make the child itchy.
One photographer
Ask one relative to be in charge of photos and to stay close but quiet. The best pictures come in the calm moment after the haircut, not during it.
What to prepare
- The puja samagri your priest asks for.
- A clean cloth or tray to collect the hair, and a container to carry it for the offering.
- Sandalwood or turmeric paste, and a soft towel.
- Warm water for the bath, and the child's new clothes.
- A cap or soft cloth for the child's head afterwards, especially in winter or strong sun.
- Snacks and water for the child, and something sweet for the guests.
For a temple or pilgrimage mundan
If the ceremony is away from home, the invitation is also a travel note. Give the meeting point and time, mention any temple rules on dress or photography, and say whether the family is arranging transport or stay. For outstation guests, send it three to four weeks ahead and call the elders first.
Related guides
A child's early years have several ceremonies: the naming ceremony, the annaprashan and the first birthday. For the invitation, you can describe a simple card to ShubhLink AI as the AI invitation maker guide shows. More guides are under family ceremonies.
Questions people ask
At what age is the mundan done?
Commonly in the first or third year, though some families choose another odd year or a date suggested by the priest.
Where is the mundan ceremony held?
At home, at a local temple, at the family deity's temple, or at a pilgrimage place. The choice usually follows family custom.
What happens to the hair after a mundan?
It's collected and offered, often in a river or at a temple, depending on the family's custom.
What should guests bring to a mundan?
Nothing is expected. Clothes for the child, a small silver gift or a toy are common if guests wish to bring something.
Filed under Family ceremonies
Written by ShubhLink Editorial Team
The team behind ShubhLink's invitation templates and ShubhLink AI. We write down what families ask us most, and check each guide before it goes live.