Upakarma is a highly auspicious ceremony for the Hindu Brahmin community. The Upakarma dates in 2026 are August 26 (Rig) and August 27 (Yajur). In 2026, Sama Vedi Upakarma is on September 13. It is the day the sacred thread worn by Brahmins known as ‘Yagnopaveetham’ is changed. There are Brahmins who are the followers of Rig Veda, Yajur Veda and Sama Veda and they have separate dates for Upakarma. The ritual is also known as Avani Avittam in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Gayatri Japam is another important ritual part of the ritual. Rig Vedi Upakarma is observed a day before Shravan Purnima this year. Brahmins who are the followers of Rig Veda change the sacred thread on the day. In 2026, the date is August 26. Yajur Vedi Upakarma  is observed on Shravan Purnima day (Full moon day in Sawan month) this year. Brahmins who are the followers of Yajur Veda change the sacred thread on the day. In 2026, the date is August 27. Gayatri Japam is on August 28. (know more about Gay...

Atharva Veda Upakarma, or Atharva Vedi Shravani, is the sacred thread changing ceremony observed by the Brahmins who follow the Atharva Veda. In 2026, date of Atharva Veda Shravani is September 26. The Upakarma prayoga or method employed by Atharva Vedi Brahmins is different from Upakarma of Rig and Yajur Vedis. The sacred thread worn by the Brahmins known as ‘Yagnopaveetham’ is changed on this day. The rituals is of great importance to people who follow the Atharva Veda tradition. The ritual is also known by the name of Upanayanam or Upanayana and Avani Avittam. The sacred thread Yagnopaveetham is known as Poonol in Malayalam, Jandhyamu in Telugu and Janivara in Kannada. The Upakarma ritual is usually performed by a group in a temple or by the side of a river or sacred pond (Tirth). Today, people also perform the ritual at home. Atharva Vedi Shravani is observed on the Bhadrapada Purnima day.

Sama Vedi Upakarma, or Sama Veda Upakarma, is the sacred thread changing ceremony observed by the Brahmin community that follows the Sama Veda – one of the four Vedas. In 2026 date of Sama Upakarma is September 13 - this is as per Srirangam Panchangam (pls note as per some scholars the date is on September 13 - during Hasta nakshatra in Kanni Masam). It is observed on the day after Shravan Amavasya. The Upakarma prayoga of Sama Vedi Brahmins is long and different from the Upakarma Prayoga of Rig and Yajur Vedis. The sacred thread worn by Sama Vedi Brahmins known as ‘Yagnopaveetham’ is changed on this day. The sacred thread Yagnopaveetham is known as Poonol in Malayalam, Jandhyamu in Telugu and Janivaara in Kannada. The ritual is also known by the name of Upanayanam or Upanayana. The followers of Yajur Veda perform it on Shravan Purnima day and it is known as Avani Avittam. The Upakarma ritual is usually performed by a group of Brahmins in a temple or by the side of a ...

Jandhyala Purnima is observed on the full moon day (Poornima) in the month of Shravan in Andhra Pradesh. Brahmins perform the sacred thread changing ceremony on this day and it is also known as Yajurveda Nutanasahitha Upakarma. Jandhyala Purnima 2026 date is on August 28. It must be noted that those people who follow Rg Veda perform the ceremony on the day before Shravan Purnima. Jandhyam is the sacred thread worn by Brahmins and it is also known as Yagnopaveetham or Yagnopaveetham. Jeerna or old Jandhyam is removed and new Yagnopaveetham is worn on the Jandhyala Purnima day. The rituals associated with Jandhyala Purnima vary from place to place and also from community to community. Especially in regard with the chanting of various mantras. The procedure depends mainly on Mutt affiliation. Brahmin boys also begin the learning of Vedas from this day. Vedic study is a must for a male member of the Brahmin community. In some regions, Brahmins also perform the ‘Kam...

Avani Avittam is an important ritual associated with the Brahmin community in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The day is of great significance to Yajurvedi Brahmins. Avani Avittam 2026 date is August 27 and the date of Gayathri Japam is August 28. On the next day, Gayatri Japa Sankalpam is observed. In other parts of South India , the observance is known as Upakarma. Yajur Vedi Upakarma Avani Avittam is on August 27 and Rig Vedi Upakarma is on August 26. Sama Vedi Upakarma Avani Avittam is on September 13 for certain communities. On the Avani Avittam, day the sacred thread worn by the Brahmins is changed and it is usually a community observance and takes place on the banks of a pond. Avani is the name of the Tamil month and Avittam is one of the 27 nakshatras or stars. Chingam is the equivalent Malayalam month. Legend has it that Lord Hayagriva, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, brought back the Vedas stolen by Asuras on this day. Gayatri Japam Sankalpam is noted ...

Gayathri Japam is observed on the day after Shravan Purnima. Gayatri Japam 2026 date is August 28. Brahmins in  South India  perform this ritual as part of the Upakarma and Avani Avittam ritual. This annual ritual involves the chanting of Gayatri Mantra. Yajur, Rig and Sama Vedi Brahmins perform this ritual on the same day. On the day, after the initial rituals, Gayatri Mantra is chanted for 1008 or 108 times. The sequence and the mode of performing the rituals depend on mutt (Math) affiliation. The ritual is performed in the morning and there is a specific period for chanting it. You can read the  Gayatri Japa Sankalpam procedure here at the website of TRS Iyengar. Gayatri Japa Mantra in English can be read here - Brahmin Rituals

Yajur Vedi Avani Avittam Sankalpam Prayogam 2026 information are given below in detail. Yajur Vedi Upakarma, or Yajur Vedic Upa Karma, is the sacred thread changing ceremony observed by the Brahmin community that follows the Yajur Veda – one of the four Vedas. In 2026, date of Yajur Vedi Upakarma is August 27. It is observed on the Shravan Purnima day and is also known as Yajur Vedi Avani Avittam in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is followed by the Gayatri Japam on the next day. On the Purnima day in Shravan month (July – August), Brahmins who follow the Yajur Veda perform the sacred thread changing ceremony known as Yagnopaveetha Dharana or Janeyu Dharana. It is part of the Vedic rituals. Children also commence the study of Vedas on the day. The popular belief is that Lord Hayagriva, an Avatara of Lord Vishnu, got back the Vedas stolen by demons on this day. This ritual is not observed by most North Indian Brahmin communities. Special mantras are chanted while pe...

Rig Vedi Upakarma, or Rg Vedic Upa Karma, is the sacred thread changing ceremony observed by the Brahmin community that follows the Rig Veda – one of the four Vedas. In 2026, date of Rig Vedi Upakarma is August 26. It is observed during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Shravan month and is also known as Rig Vedi Avani Avittam in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Gayatri Japam ritual is also observed on the day. On the Thiruvonam Nakshatra day in Shravan month (July – August), Brahmins who follow the Rig Veda perform the sacred thread changing ceremony known as Yagnopaveetha Dharana or Janeyu Dharana. This ritual is part of ancient Vedic rituals and includes chanting of Mantras. Students also begin the study of the Vedas on the day. This ritual is not observed by most North Indian Brahmin communities. But some priests and Brahmins observe such a ritual on the third of the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapad month. Special mantras are chanted while performing the Rg Vedi Ava...

Poonool or Poonal is a thread worn by certain Hindus. It is also known as Yajnasoothram or Yajnopaveetham. It is worn across the body – over the left shoulder under the right arm. The article originally written by Sarma Sastrigal Poonal - How it is given shape? We are all aware that the adornment of the Yajnopaveeta or the sacred thread is one of important parts of the Upanayana. It is interesting to see how the yajnopaveeta, the sacred thread, is given shape. The basic material for the yajnopaveeta, also known as poonal in Tamil, is cotton thread woven by persons who are qualified to preach Vedas. Married women including widows are also qualified to do this job. A Brahmin then takes the woven material, sits in a clean place, and spins the thread around his fingers in such a way that each loop is 4”. He makes 96 such loops, folds the total length 3 times and presses the shortened length till it achieves the desired stiffness. Next he makes this into three circular loops. The...

Upanayana is a sacred ceremony in Hinduism by which a boy or girl between the ages of seven and sixteen is initiated into the spiritual world. Upanayana literally means ‘providing an additional eye’ – upa means additional and nayana means eye of spiritual knowledge and wisdom. The term also means leading the disciple to the Guru (upa – means near and nayana means leading.) Symbolic symbol of Upanayana is the wearing of yajnopavita or sacred thread. Yajnopavita or sacred thread is believed to have worn by the creator. There is no reference to it in the Grahyasutras. Bal Gangadhar Tilak has stated that it is remnant of the cloth worn by Prajapati. Not all Hindus perform Upanayanam . Numerous Hindu communities and sects do not perform the sacred thread ceremony. Like all rituals in Hindu religion this one is also not mandatory. Those who wear the sacred thread are known as twice born . When a child starts his spiritual education by learning the Vedas, the child is gett...

Sravani is an annual ritual observed by Hindus on Shravan Purnima or full moon day in Shravan month. The ritual is also observed on Bhadra Shukla Paksha Panchami Tithi or during the fifth day during waxing phase of moon in Bhadrapad month. Sravani Ritual is observed by Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. Celibates (brahmacharis), householders (grihasthas) and those in Vanaprastha stage of life are entitled to perform the ritual. On the day of Shravani, one goes to a river or sacred water body and offers prayers to tirthas for sin redemption. Then one takes bath facing the flow of water and makes offerings to ancestors. Then Saptarishis are worshipped. Then Gayatri mantra is recited 10 times. The wearing of new yajnopavita, sacred thread, follows this. Then the performer takes food mixed with til or sesame and curd.

Avani Avittam or Avittom is highly auspicious and is of great significance to Yajurvedi Brahmins. On the same day, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in North India . In 2026, Avani Avittam is on August 28. The main ritual on the day is ‘Upakarma,’ which is also referred as Shravani. It is believed that Lord Hayagriva, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, brought back the Vedas, which was stolen by demons, to Lord Brahma. Avani is the Tamil month and Avittam is one of the 27 nakshatras or stars. Chingam is the equivalent Malayalam month. Avani Avittam is of great significance in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and other southern states. On the Avani Avittam day, Brahmins after a holy dip and change the sacred thread and wear a new holy thread. This ritual is known as Upakarma, which means beginning. The sacred thread is referred as ‘Poonool,’ ‘Yajnopavita’ or ‘Janeyu.’ The ritual also symbolizes the permission to study the Vedas. Usually the function is conducted by communities and large...