Upakarma
Hindu observance / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Upakarma (Sanskrit: उपाकर्म, romanized: Upākarma, lit. 'Beginning'), also called Avani Avittam (Tamil: ஆவணி அவிட்டம், Malayalam: ആവണി അവിട്ടം, romanized: Āvaṇi Aviṭṭam), Janivarada Hunnime (Kannada: ಜನಿವಾರದ ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ, romanized: Janivārada Huṇṇime), Gahma Purnima (Odia: ଗହ୍ମା ପୂର୍ଣିମା, romanized: Gahmā Pūrṇimā), and Jamdhyala Paurnami (Telugu: జంధ్యాల పౌర్ణమి, romanized: Jaṁdhyāla Paurṇami) is a Vedic ritual practiced by Hindus especially Brahmanas:[1][2] During the ritual, men change their sacred thread and begin to don a new one.[3]
Upakarma is conducted once a year during the Shravana or Dhanishtha nakshatra of the Hindu month of Shravana, when Brahmins change their yajñopavītam thread with Vedic rituals, making offerings to the rishis who composed the Vedic hymns.[4] The day, also called Shravana Purnima ("Full Moon of Shravana") in other parts of India, usually occurs the day after the Shravana nakshatra, which marks Kerala's Onam festival. On the following day, usually coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival in North and Central India, the Gayatri Mantra is recited 1,008 times.
Samaveda Brahmins perform upakarma and change their thread on the third day of the month of Bhadra.