The sacred thread ceremony marks for the Hindu boy the time when he is ritually admitted to the study of the sacred heritage of his people. As part of the ceremony the boy's preceptor “opens the books” and, if only symbolically, begins the instruction.
Sacred thread is an important marker of knowledge, especially Vedic knowledge. As symbol of initiation of young Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya into studentship this ceremony is in practice till date. Initially meant for boys & girls, later it was limited to boys.
The Sacred Thread Ceremony (Upanayana) The ceremony starts with head-shaving, bathing and wearing new clothes. Hindu boys used to go through this ceremony from as early as the age of 8 but now, it happens when a boy is almost a teenager. It is thought of as being 'twice born'.
The final samskara for a child is the thread ceremony. The child is given a special thread which is put around his shoulders. ( which is worn constantly thereafter from the left shoulder across the body to the right.) He will then wear this thread under his clothes for the rest of his life. It shows that the child is now an adult.
The ceremony marks the second birth of the child in the world of knowledge. thus onwards children are called 'dwij' meaning twice born. Sacred thread is cotton, handmade 3 strings tied in a loop.
In connection to this is the festival - Avani Avittam Yajur Veda Upakarma - an annual festival which is conducted in the households of the Tamil Nadu brahmins. This festival is very important for the pilgrims and will be celebrated by the complete brahmin community.
Upākarma is conducted once a year during the shravana or Dhaniṣṭhā nakṣatra of the Hindu month of Śrāvana, when Brahmins change their upanayana thread with Vedic rituals, making offerings to the rishis who composed the Vedic hymns.
This year's upakarma was celebrated today. The purpose of the Upakarma ritual is to offer prayers and express the gratitude to sages who gave the knowledge of Vedas and revealed Vedic Mantras to the human beings. The time-honoured ritual of changing the sacred thread (Poonal) commonly known as Aavani Avittam, falling in the Tamil month of Avani, under the star Avittam, where Generations of men come together to observe this auspicious ceremony, chanting relevant slokas.
On this day, a Mahasankalpam or a vow is taken for the atonement of all our sins in the past year. The Brahmins take a holy dip and wear a new holy thread called Yagnopaveetham or poonal or Janeyu.
The day is of great significance to Yajur Vedi, Rig Vedi & Sama Vedi Brahmins. On the next day, Gayatri Japam is performed. This entire Ritual is called Aavani Avittam. This auspicious day represents the day when Lord Narayana took avatar as Lord Hayagriva.
This day marks special in many ways. Offer your prayers to the Lord and be blessed.
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