Mundan Muhurat मुंडन मुहूर्त
Choosing an auspicious day for a child’s first haircut (Chudakarana)
A mundan muhurat is the auspicious time chosen for a child’s first haircut (Chudakarana sanskar). Tradition favours odd years of age, the Uttarayana months, and gentle nakshatras — while avoiding the child’s own birth-star and birth-month.
When it is done
The Chudakarana is traditionally performed in the 1st, 3rd or 5th year (odd years are preferred), after weaning. Many families keep it in the first or third year. It is avoided in the child’s birth month (janma masa) and when the Moon transits the child’s birth nakshatra.
Auspicious timings at a glance
| Good months | Chaitra, Vaishakha, Jyeshtha, Magha and Phalguna (the Uttarayana half of the year) |
| Good nakshatras | Ashwini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Jyeshtha, Shravana, Dhanishtha, Shatabhisha and Revati |
| Good tithis | Dwitiya, Tritiya, Panchami, Saptami, Dashami, Ekadashi and Trayodashi (Shukla paksha preferred) |
| Good weekdays | Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday |
Periods to avoid
The child’s birth nakshatra and birth month, Rikta tithis (Chaturthi, Navami, Chaturdashi), Amavasya, eclipse days, and generally Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday. Dakshinayana (the southward half) is less preferred for the first mundan.
How the muhurat is chosen
- Confirm the child’s age falls in a favourable (usually odd) year and that it is not the birth month.
- Pick a month from the auspicious list, avoiding Chaturmas restrictions your family keeps.
- Choose a day whose nakshatra and tithi are both favourable and are not the child’s janma nakshatra.
- On that day, select a Shubh, Amrit or Labh choghadiya or the Abhijit Muhurat, avoiding Rahu Kaal, for the actual tonsure.
Important: This is general guidance, not a personalised muhurat. Fix the final date with a qualified pandit considering the horoscopes and regional tradition. To check the choghadiya and Rahu Kaal on a shortlisted date, use the muhurat planner.
Common questions
At what age is mundan done?
Traditionally in an odd year of age — the 1st, 3rd or 5th year — after the child is weaned. Regional and family custom varies, so confirm with your elders or pandit.
Which nakshatras are good for mundan?
Gentle and auspicious nakshatras such as Mrigashira, Pushya, Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Shravana, Dhanishtha and Revati are favoured; the child’s own birth nakshatra is avoided.
Which days should be avoided for mundan?
The child’s birth month and birth star, Rikta tithis, Amavasya, eclipse days, and usually Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Can mundan be done during Chaturmas?
Many families avoid major sanskaras during Chaturmas; practice varies by region. Confirm with your family tradition and pandit.
How do I pick the exact time on the day?
Use an auspicious choghadiya (Amrit, Shubh or Labh) or the midday Abhijit Muhurat and avoid Rahu Kaal — the muhurat planner shows these for your city and date.