Upkarma is a very auspicious time for the Hindu Brahmin community, on this day the worship of Vedas and their corresponding actions are performed. The sacred thread worn by Brahmins on this day is known as Yagyopaveetam. There are brahmins who are followers of Rigveda, Yajurveda and Samveda and they have different dates of upakarma. This ritual is also known as Avani Avittam in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.Gayatri chanting is another important ritual of the ritual.
Gayatri Chanting - Avani Avittam
Rigvedi-ya Upkarma is celebrated on Shravan Purnima. The Brahmins, followers of Rigveda, change the sacred thread on this day. Yajurvedi Upkarma is also celebrated on the day of Shravan Purnima. Brahmins who follow Yajurveda change the sacred thread on this day. Apart from this, the time of Gayatri chanting will be on 12th August.
Lord Hayagriva, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, performed the task of bringing back the Vedas stolen by the Asuras on the day of Shravan Purnima. After taking a holy dip in the holy river or pond or puddle on this day, male Brahmins change the sacred thread and wear a new one. Symbolically, the ritual means a new beginning. Students also start the study of Vedas on this day.
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Importance of Yajurveda Upakarma
Upakarma means beginning or beginning which signifies the ritualistic beginning of learning the Vedas. People of Brahmin community wear new their Upanayana thread or sacred thread also known as Janeu/Yagnopaveet along with learning Vedas on Upakarma day along with Shraut rituals. Upakarma is a Vedic ritual which is a religious rite from ancient times, which is still performed by the Hindus of the Brahmin community.
Those who follow Yajurveda observe Upakarma during the month of Shravan on the full moon day of Shravan Purnima and those who follow Rigveda observe Upakarma on the day of Shravana Nakshatra in the month of Shravan (etc. in Tamil) Thus, the day of Upkarma may be different for the followers of Yajurveda and Rigveda.
In Tamil Nadu, the upakarma known as Avani Avittam is also celebrated by Odisha, Maharashtra and other southern states. This day is also known as Janeu Purnima. The word Thalai Avani Avittam is used for those who perform their first undertaking. In Andhra Pradesh, the Upakarma during Shravan Purnima is known as Jandhyaal Purnima.
Brahmins choose the day of Shravan Purnima to start the study of Vedas as that day is also associated with Hayagriva Jayanti. When Lord Hayagriva first appeared on Shravan Purnima. Hayagriva Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Lord Hayagriva who is the horse-headed avatar of Sri Hari Vishnu. Lord Hayagriva is regarded as the god of knowledge and wisdom and who re-given all the Vedas to Brahma.
