Chooṛaakarma Sanskaara

Time for Chooṛaakarma

The 1st or 3rd birthday

Ashvalayan Grihyasutra and Paaraskaara grihyasutras recommend the first or third birthday.
सांवत्सरिकस्य चूड़ाकरणम् ॥¹
तृतीये वर्षे चौलम् ॥१॥²

Introduction

This sanskaara has a very important concept of shaving the head of the child to encourage fresh and new growth. It is the child’s first haircut, symbolically separating the newborn stage from the start of new growth and development.

During infancy, a child typically rolls over, notices colors and objects, and develops motor skills. Most of their physical activity is involuntary or reflexive. As the first year passes, the child develops more in speech, hearing, and action and becomes more in control.

Teething

A child starts teething between 6-7 months and by the first birthday, most children have eight teeth – four at the top and four at the bottom. And, by the third birthday, most children have grown the full set of childhood teeth, that is, twenty teeth.

The timing of this Sanskaara coincides with the timing of the growth of teeth. It is well known that the teething stage is troublesome for many children. They fuss, and many develop fevers, high body temperature, swollen gums, and face. The shaving of the head at this stage allows for a cooler body temperature and, of course, less or no hair to pull on, exacerbating the situation.

Brain & Head development

This sanskaara also coincides with the fusion of the skull that creates for better brain and head growth. 

Hair growth

In ancient times, the hair of birth was believed to be “tarnished” hair and needed to be removed. Given the rapid growth of hair, however, the hair cut at this time is needed to control anger and temperament of the child.

Shaving also allows for the regrowth of robust hair.

Surroundings

In modern times, we have dedicated mandirs and special prayer places that are clean and free of dirt. Grains and food are stored safely. However, in ancient times, as in the Sanskaara Vidhi, placing four earthenware pots of rice, barley, black gram, and sesamum seed was advised. These grains are noticeably essential sources of protein, fiber, and other nutritious elements, as well as antioxidants and food elements. With the placement of these grains, water is sprinkled around them using the mantras of the Jal prokshan. 

These signify cleanliness (the presence of certain herbs and grains keeps insects away), blessings of prosperity, and best wishes for health and good physical development.

These are optional to the performance of the Sanskaara.