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Chaulam (Samskrit: चौलम्) is one of the childhood samskaras rarely followed by traditional Indian families even in present times. While Chudakarana or Chaulam have been prescribed in various texts as a prerequisite for performing various rituals, it was also supported by the medical texts of Acharyas Sushruta and Charaka.<ref name=":12">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 158-)</ref>

Chaulam (Samskrit: चौलम्) is one of the childhood samskaras rarely followed by traditional Indian families even in present times. While Chudakarana or Chaulam have been prescribed in various texts as a prerequisite for performing various rituals, it was also supported by the medical texts of Acharyas Sushruta and Charaka.<ref name=":12">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 158-)</ref>

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

=== शिखा ॥ Shikha ===

=== शिखा ॥ Shikha ===

Keeping a shikha or arrangement of the hair at the top of the head, while removing all the surrounding hair is an important feature of Chudakarana.  Removing all hair on the head, or tonsuring is prohibited. The place where shikha is kept is the Brahma-randhra. It is from this hole like place on the head that the prana shakti enters or leaves the body. Hence during sandhyavandana, meditation, upaasana and samadhi there is a rule that shikha has to be tied up. Tying up the shikha closes the brahma-randhra.<ref name=":3">Shukla, Sacchidanand (2008) ''Hindu Dharm ke Solah Sanskar''. Delhi: Prabhat Prakashan.</ref>     

Keeping a shikha or arrangement of the hair at the top of the head, while removing all the surrounding hair is an important feature of Chudakarana.  Removing all hair on the head, or tonsuring is prohibited. After eleven months of age the surface skin covering the skull becomes hard enough making the removal of hair possible. The place where shikha is kept is the Brahma-randhra. It is from this hole like place on the head that the prana shakti enters or leaves the body. Hence during sandhyavandana, meditation, upaasana and samadhi there is a rule that shikha has to be tied up. Tying up the shikha closes the brahma-randhra.<ref name=":3">Shukla, Sacchidanand (2008) ''Hindu Dharm ke Solah Sanskar''. Delhi: Prabhat Prakashan.</ref>     

According to many scholars, in Chudakarma samskara at a young age of one or three years, head is tonsured (mundana) completely, whereas during the [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]] ceremony a shikha is kept. The hair on the top is arranged as per family tradition. The number of tufts was determined by the number of the Pravara rishis in the lineage, as it may be three or five. Keeping the top hair, in its course of evolution, become an indispensable sign of the Hindus. The shikha and the yajnopaveeta (sacred thread) are the compulsory out-ward signs of the dvija.<ref name=":5" />

According to many scholars, in Chudakarma samskara at a young age of one or three years, head is tonsured (mundana) completely, whereas during the [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]] ceremony a shikha is kept. The hair on the top is arranged as per family tradition. The number of tufts was determined by the number of the Pravara rishis in the lineage, as it may be three or five. Keeping the top hair, in its course of evolution, become an indispensable sign of the Hindus. The shikha and the [[Yajnopavita (यज्ञोपवीतम्)|yajnopavita]] (sacred thread) are the compulsory out-ward signs of the dvija.<ref name=":5" />

==== शिखायाः आवश्यकता ॥ Importance of Shika as per Vaidika texts ====

==== शिखायाः आवश्यकता ॥ Importance of Shika as per Vaidika texts ====