Choulam (Tonsure), in various religions, a ceremony of initiation in which hair is clipped from the head as part of the ritual marking one's entrance into a new stage of religious development or activity.
Tonsure is usually the part of three rites of passages in
the life of the individual in Hinduism. The first is called Chudakarana, also known
as choulam, chaula, chudakarma, or mundana, marks the child's
first haircut, typically the shaving of the head. The mother dresses up,
sometimes in her wedding sari, and with the father present, the baby's head is shaved
and nails trimmed, washed and dressed in new clothes. Sometimes, a tuft of hair
is left to cover the soft spot near the top of the baby's head. Both boys
and girls typically go through this ceremony, sometimes near a temple or a
river, but it is not mandatory in Hinduism.
 |
| Image Source: www.yuppee.com |
The significance of Chudakarana rite of passage is the baby's cyclical step to hygiene and cleanliness. The ritual is typically done about the first birthday, but some texts recommend that it be completed before the third or the seventh year. Sometimes, this ritual is combined with the rite of passage of Upanayana, initiation to formal schooling.
The second rite of passage in Hinduism that sometimes
involves tonsure is at the Upanayana, the sanskara marking a
child's entry into school.
Another
rite of passage where tonsure is practiced by Hindus is after the death and
completing the last rites of an immediate family member, that is father,
mother, brother, sister, spouse or child. This ritual is regionally found in
India among male mourners, who shave their heads as a sign of bereavement.
Karnavedha (Ear
Piercing) or Karnavedham is one of the sixteen major samskaras (sacraments)
known as "Shodasha Samskaras" of Sanatana
Dharma. It is an ear piercing ceremony
that is typically performed between the first and fifth years of life. This can
also be performed during later years. Karnavedha is considered
a vedic rite of passage with symbolic spiritual significance.
Image Source: flickr.com
Brahmins, especially those studying the vedas, undergo karnavedha and the other samskaras during
the course of their lifetime. The samskaras are mentioned
in the Brahmana portion of the vedas. Some scholars advise that the
performance of karnavedha should be considered just as important as upanayanam (sacred
thread ceremony - another major samskara) and the other
sacraments as each holds its own symbolic spiritual value.
Source: Wikipedia
For Tonsure and Ear Piercing, contact:
Shri. Mohanraj
97891 37143
(Tiruvallur)
