Avani Avittam Date 2024: History, Significance, Celebration – GHdays.in
Upakarma, known as the ‘Beginning‘ in Sanskrit, is a significant Vedic ritual observed by Hindus, specifically Brahmins. This ritual, also referred to as Avani Avittam in Tamil and Malayalam, Janivarada Hunnime in Kannada, Gahma Purnima in Odia, and Jamdhyala Paurnami in Telugu, involves men replacing their sacred thread with a new one.
The Upakarma ceremony takes place once a year during the Shravana or Dhanishtha nakshatra of the Hindu month of Shravana. It is a time when Brahmins change their yajñopavītam thread through Vedic rituals, paying homage to the rishis who authored the Vedic hymns. This day is also known as Shravana Purnima or the ‘Full Moon of Shravana’ in various regions of India, often coinciding with Kerala’s Onam festival. Additionally, on the subsequent day, which typically aligns with the Raksha Bandhan festival in North and Central India, the Gayatri Mantra is chanted 1,008 times.
Samaveda Brahmins perform the Upakarma ritual and replace their thread on the third day of the month of Bhadra.
Avani Avittam Date 2024: Monday, August 19
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Avani Avittam Puja Timings 2024
On the auspicious day of Avani Avittam in 2024, the sun will rise majestically at 6:08 AM, casting its golden rays over the Earth. As the day progresses, the sun will set at 6:52 PM, painting the sky with hues of red and orange. The Purnima Tithi will span from 3:05 AM to 11:55 PM, providing a significant period for performing sacred rituals and prayers. These timings hold great importance for those observing Avani Avittam, marking a time of spiritual significance and reverence in the Hindu calendar.
| Avani Avittam Date 2024 | Monday, 19th August |
| Avani Avittam Date 2025 | Saturday, 9th August |
| Avani Avittam Date 2026 | Thursday, 27th August |
| Avani Avittam Date 2027 | Monday, 16th August |
| Avani Avittam Date 2028 | Saturday, 5th August |
| Avani Avittam Date 2029 | Thursday, 23rd August |
History of Avani Avittam
During the auspicious full-moon day in the month of Shravana, a tale unfolds where Vishnu, taking the form of Hayagriva, performed a remarkable feat by reclaiming the stolen Vedas from Brahma’s grasp, which had been snatched away by the daityas Madhu and Kaitabha. Originating from two drops of water imbued with the qualities of darkness and activity, the arrogant brothers emerged and devotedly worshiped Mahadevi, earning a boon that granted them immortality until they wished otherwise.
However, their audacity led them to pilfer the sacred Vedas and retreat to the depths of Patala, leaving Brahma in a state of desperation. Turning to Vishnu for assistance, the deity engaged in a fierce battle with the brothers. Witnessing their formidable strength, Vishnu magnanimously offered them a boon of their choosing. Overcome by arrogance, Madhu and Kaitabha defiantly challenged Vishnu to request a boon from them instead.
Without hesitation, Vishnu astutely demanded the power to vanquish them, leaving the daityas astonished. Granting Vishnu the ability to slay them anywhere except on water, the brothers expanded their forms, only to be swiftly seized by Vishnu, who placed them on his thighs and swiftly beheaded them using his divine discus, the Sudarshana Chakra. Thus, through this epic confrontation, the stolen Vedas were successfully returned to Brahma.
Celebration of Avani Avittam
Different sects celebrate the upakarma on varying days. Yajurveda students mark their upakarma on the full moon of the Shravana month (August-September), known as Avani in the Tamil calendar. Rigvedic upakarma is observed during the waxing moon in the Shravana lunar phase. Rigvedic Brahmins change their sacred thread on this specific day.
During Avani Avittam, a Brahmin follows his usual morning rituals. This includes praying before bathing, wearing clean attire, sipping water thrice in the name of Vishnu, performing the sandhyavandanam rite which involves meditation on the sun god Surya and recitation of the Gayatri Mantra. The Brahmin studies the Vedas with his guru, who faces east while reciting scripture, while the disciple faces west and repeats the same.
This practice continues until midday, covering the recitation of the entire Vedas. A midday bath is followed by ancestor worship. Sesame seeds mixed with water are offered ritually to ancestors with joined hands. Fire oblations and prayers to various deities are performed. The kamokarshit prayer is chanted 108 times, signifying that any deviation from prescribed rituals stems from passion rather than purity of the soul. Brahmins gather at a local waterbody for the sankalpa prayer to cleanse sins. Following this ritual, a new sacred thread is worn, symbolizing a fresh start in sacred studies and purification of rituals.