மொட்டை அடித்தல்
மொட்டை அடித்தல்
Choula
What is Choula (Mundan / Tonsure)?
“Choula” or “Mundan” (choula / mundana / tonsure) refers to the ceremonial act of shaving a child’s head for the very first time. It is one of the 16 Hindu samskaras (rites of passage) and is also known as “Chudakarana” or “Kesha Khandan.”.
Where is the" Mottai Adithal" Ceremony Performed?
- At the family deity temple (Kula Deivam)
- At the chosen personal deity temple (Ishta Deivam)
- At home in the presence of family priests
- In Tamil Nadu, it is a traditional custom for the child to sit on the maternal uncle’s lap during the tonsure
- Ear piercing and Mottai Adithal are usually performed on the same day, followed by a feast arranged for relatives
When Should Choula Be Performed?
Auspicious Years
- It can be performed in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, or 7th year of the child
- Most auspicious: 3rd year
If performed in the 3rd or 5th year, it should be done only after the completion of four tamil months of that year
Auspicious Period
• Uttarayana (Thai – Aani) is the best period
• In Dakshinayana (Aadi – Margazhi) should be avoided
Benefits of Performing the Tonsure (Mottai Adithal) in Each Tamil Month
- Thai month– Enhances wealth, prosperity, and overall family well-being
- Maasi month– Favors progeny and family growth
- Panguni month– Improves the child’s health, vitality, and immunity
- Chithirai month– Increases family prosperity, progress, and career development
- Vaikasi month– Brings success in all efforts and provides victory over obstacles
- Aani month– Bestows blessings for lineage growth and long-term family prosperity
Auspicious Stars for Mudi Kanikkai
- Ashwini – Enhances longevity and health of the child
- Hastham – Improves intelligence and educational growth
- Thiruvonam – Favors career success, wealth, and social status
- Mrigasira – Brings mental peace and good thinking
- Chithirai – Enhances talent, creativity, and knowledge
- Avittam – Brings divine blessings and family progress
- Punarpoosam – Provides stability and general well-being
- Poosam – Increases prosperity, grace, and spiritual benefits
- Revathi – Considered the best for all auspicious ceremonies
Moderately Auspicious Stars
Uthiram, Uthiradam, Rohini, Swathi, Sadayam, Uthirattathi — these stars bring benefits slowly but ultimately yield positive results.
Inauspicious Stars (To Avoid)
Bharani, Karthigai, Thiruvathirai, Ayilyam, Magam, Pooram, Visakam, Anusham, Kettai, Moolam, Pooradam, Uthiradam — as these are associated with unfavorable results for this ritual.
Auspicious Days for Mudi Kanikkai
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are considered highly auspicious for the Choula ceremony.
Days to Avoid
Tuesday and Saturday should be avoided
Auspicious Tithis for Mudi Kanikkai
- Dwitiya, Tritiya, Panchami – Bring prosperity, strength, and auspicious results
- Saptami – Enhances solar energy giving good health
- Dashami, Trayodashi – Favor success in all undertakings
Waxing moon vs. Waning Moon
Performing Choula during the waxing moon (Shukla Paksha) increases longevity, growth, and health;
Performing it during the waning moon (Krishna Paksha) may cause reduced longevity or financial instability.
Auspicious Lagna for Mudi kanikkai
Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Pisces are ideal ascendants that enhance the positive effects of the ceremony.
Inauspicious Lagna
Aries, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius are generally avoided as they may reduce the ritual’s positive impact.
Important Rules to Follow During Mudi Kanikkai
- Sun, Mars, Saturn, Rahu, or Ketu should not occupy the 7th house
- Venus should not be in the 8th house
- Jupiter and Venus should not be in Ashtakam
- The Mudi Kanikkai must not be performed at night
- Chandra Bala and Tara Bala must be checked
- For Janma star, the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 9th stars are auspicious
- The 22nd star (Vainashika) must be strictly avoided
- For elder boys and girls, the months of Aani and Margazhi should not be chosen
- If it is done on a wrong day due to unavoidable reasons, it must be redone on an auspicious day
- Head shaving associated with funeral rituals should not be done on a Friday
- Mundan can be combined with the Upanayanam ceremony
- The mother should not be five months pregnant when the head shaving ceremony is performed for the child (in the 1st, 3rd, or 5th year).
- This ritual can be performed even if the mother was pregnant for more than five years.
- While the wife is pregnant, the husband should not shave his head
- After the child is born, Mottai should be done only after the 10th day
