Avani Avittam
Encyclopedia
Avani Avittam refers to the day corresponding to the Dhanishta
nakshatra
("Avittam" in Tamil) of the Śrāvana month ("Avani" in Tamil) of the Hindu calendar
when Brahmins ritually change their Upanayana
thread every year accompanied by relevant Śrauta
"upakarma
" rituals. The day, also called Śrāvana Pūrnima
(full moon day of the Śrāvana
month) in other parts of India, usually occurs the day after the Śravana
nakshatra (which marks the Onam
festival of Kerala
). The next day, usually coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival in northern and central India, the Gayatri Mantra
is recited 1008 times.
In 2010, Avani Avittam occurred on August 23/24 (depending on the span of the tithi
& nakshatra
). Brahmins belonging to the Sama Veda however do not perform the upakarma rituals or change their Yajñopavīta on Śrāvana Śravishthā (i.e. Avani Avittam) but rather on Bhādra
chaturthi (the fourth day of the month of Bhādra/Bhādrapada, which is also known as Prosṭha/Prosṭhapada). Shukla Yajurvedic brahmins of North India
and Orissa
do upakarma the preveous day if Purnima spans two days.
Early in the morning after sandya vandanam/samitha daanam(for bachelors only) Kamo Karsheeth Japam is performed for 1008 times, to relive one of the deeds/sins done with or without one's knowledge and to get oneself ready for the maha sankalpam, .. and finally the Vedharambam.
2. Maha Sankalpam
This is a social / community activity, where all the brahmans gather on a river bank and do the sankalpam for getting rid of all the sins, etc.. and they mention different rivers, Gods, templs etc.. to specify their geographical location and then whether it be Caveri / Vaihai / Krishna they have a shower. After this everyone wears silk or new clothes (if available), etc.. and get ready for the grand ceremony.
3.Yagnopaveetha Dharanam
This is to rejuvenate and refresh one's spiritual energy and make oneself, eligible for the Veidc (Sroutha,Smartha Nithyanushtana Yogyatha) rituals , one changes the sacred thread and removes the old one saying it is old, broken (jeernam, kasmala, dhooshitam).
There are 2 achamanams prescribed for this, - one for wearing a new poonal and another for removing the old one.
4. Kandarishi Tharpanam
Kanda rishis represent the rishis or sages for each chapter or kandas in the Vedas (Soma,Agni,Prajapathi, ..) and each of those Vedic rishis are given water / rice (tharpanam). People, who do not have their father alive, also do pithru tharpanam and thus this ritual ends.
5. Kandarishi Homam
In places where they do it elaborately with a Purohitar, they also do this, by first chanting Punyaha Vaachanam, and then invoking all the Kanda rishis, 7 rishis (Athri...) in the kumbam and then, invoking all of them in the fire and offering havis, kshana dandam (mixture of all fruits..,appam,sundal..) and offering it in the fire. after that Jayadi homam is performed.
6. Vedarambam
Officially, the Adhyayanam or Vedic classes start with vedarambam and critical lines /s tanzas (like Agni Meelee..) are chanted + Maheswara Suthram, etc... After this the rishis are thanked, offered naivedyam, karpooram.. and everyone, disperses tot heir homes, chanting the Vedas.
This is a more than 20000 years old tradition, which is preserved until today.
The first step is a 'prayashchita', A prayer to atone the sins. It says, "For the removal of all my sins and thereby to secure a divine blessing and for qualifing myself to perform the essential duties of Brahmanas as prescribed in the vedas and smritis and adopted by the really good in their conduct I put on this Yagnopavita (the sacred thread).
Then a new Yagnopavita is worn. When the thread is worn another mantra is recited which means -"I put on the sacred thread which is highly pure, is inseparable from God, is capable of prolonging life and is the foremost in the accomplishment of a Brahmana. May such pure Yagnopavita bring strength and dignity."
While removing the old thread, the mantra means -"I throw away the broken dirty old thread, may the new one bring on long life and Brahmana's brilliance."
For further information see upakarma
Dhanishta
Dhanishta is the twenty-third nakshatra in Hindu astronomy, corresponding to α to δ Delphini. It is also known as Dhanishtha or Avittam...
nakshatra
Nakshatra
Nakshatra is the term for lunar mansion in Hindu astrology. A nakshatra is one of 27 sectors along the ecliptic...
("Avittam" in Tamil) of the Śrāvana month ("Avani" in Tamil) of the Hindu calendar
Hindu calendar
The hindu calendar used in ancient times has undergone many changes in the process of regionalization, and today there are several regional Indian calendars, as well as an Indian national calendar. Nepali calendar, Bengali calendar, Malayalam calendar, Tamil calendar, Telugu calendar, Kannada...
when Brahmins ritually change their Upanayana
Upanayana
Upanayana is the initiation ritual by which initiates are invested with a sacred thread, to symbolize the transference of spiritual knowledge .- Significance of the sacred thread :...
thread every year accompanied by relevant Śrauta
Srauta
' traditions are conservative ritualistic traditions of the historical Vedic religion in Hinduism, based on the body of Śruti literature...
"upakarma
Upakarma
Upakarma called Veda Upaakarma or Avani Avittam or Jannivarada Hunnime is one of the ancient Vedic rituals practiced to date. The event is conducted once a year, in the month of Shraavana and all the Brahmins follow it...
" rituals. The day, also called Śrāvana Pūrnima
Shravana
Shravana is the 22nd nakshatra or lunar mansion as used in Hindu astronomy and astrology. It belongs to the constellation Makara or Capricorn....
(full moon day of the Śrāvana
Shraavana
Shraavana is a month of the Hindu calendar, also known as Sawan. In India's national civil calendar, Shraavan is the fifth month of the Hindu year, beginning in late July and ending in the third week of August. In the Tamil calendar, it is known as Aavani and is the fifth month of the solar year...
month) in other parts of India, usually occurs the day after the Śravana
Shravana
Shravana is the 22nd nakshatra or lunar mansion as used in Hindu astronomy and astrology. It belongs to the constellation Makara or Capricorn....
nakshatra (which marks the Onam
Onam
Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. It falls during the month of Chingam and lasts for ten days...
festival of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
). The next day, usually coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival in northern and central India, the Gayatri Mantra
Gayatri Mantra
The Gāyatrī Mantra is a highly revered mantra, based on a Vedic Sanskrit verse from a hymn of the Rigveda , attributed to the rishi . The mantra is named for its vedic gāyatrī metre. As the verse can be interpreted to invoke the deva Savitr, it is often called Sāvitrī...
is recited 1008 times.
In 2010, Avani Avittam occurred on August 23/24 (depending on the span of the tithi
Tithi
In vedic timekeeping, a tithi is a lunar day, or the time it takes for the longitudinal angle between the moon and the sun to increase by 12°. Tithis begin at varying times of day and vary in duration from approximately 19 to approximately 26 hours. There are 30 tithis in each lunar month, named...
& nakshatra
Nakshatra
Nakshatra is the term for lunar mansion in Hindu astrology. A nakshatra is one of 27 sectors along the ecliptic...
). Brahmins belonging to the Sama Veda however do not perform the upakarma rituals or change their Yajñopavīta on Śrāvana Śravishthā (i.e. Avani Avittam) but rather on Bhādra
Bhaadra
Bhaadra or Bhadrapada is a month of the Hindu calendar. In India's national civil calendar , Bhaadra is the sixth month of the year, beginning on 23 August and ending on 22 September. Known as Purattaasi, it is the sixth month of the Tamil solar calendar...
chaturthi (the fourth day of the month of Bhādra/Bhādrapada, which is also known as Prosṭha/Prosṭhapada). Shukla Yajurvedic brahmins of North India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
and Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
do upakarma the preveous day if Purnima spans two days.
What is done
1. Kamo Kaarsheed JapamEarly in the morning after sandya vandanam/samitha daanam(for bachelors only) Kamo Karsheeth Japam is performed for 1008 times, to relive one of the deeds/sins done with or without one's knowledge and to get oneself ready for the maha sankalpam, .. and finally the Vedharambam.
2. Maha Sankalpam
This is a social / community activity, where all the brahmans gather on a river bank and do the sankalpam for getting rid of all the sins, etc.. and they mention different rivers, Gods, templs etc.. to specify their geographical location and then whether it be Caveri / Vaihai / Krishna they have a shower. After this everyone wears silk or new clothes (if available), etc.. and get ready for the grand ceremony.
3.Yagnopaveetha Dharanam
This is to rejuvenate and refresh one's spiritual energy and make oneself, eligible for the Veidc (Sroutha,Smartha Nithyanushtana Yogyatha) rituals , one changes the sacred thread and removes the old one saying it is old, broken (jeernam, kasmala, dhooshitam).
There are 2 achamanams prescribed for this, - one for wearing a new poonal and another for removing the old one.
4. Kandarishi Tharpanam
Kanda rishis represent the rishis or sages for each chapter or kandas in the Vedas (Soma,Agni,Prajapathi, ..) and each of those Vedic rishis are given water / rice (tharpanam). People, who do not have their father alive, also do pithru tharpanam and thus this ritual ends.
5. Kandarishi Homam
In places where they do it elaborately with a Purohitar, they also do this, by first chanting Punyaha Vaachanam, and then invoking all the Kanda rishis, 7 rishis (Athri...) in the kumbam and then, invoking all of them in the fire and offering havis, kshana dandam (mixture of all fruits..,appam,sundal..) and offering it in the fire. after that Jayadi homam is performed.
6. Vedarambam
Officially, the Adhyayanam or Vedic classes start with vedarambam and critical lines /s tanzas (like Agni Meelee..) are chanted + Maheswara Suthram, etc... After this the rishis are thanked, offered naivedyam, karpooram.. and everyone, disperses tot heir homes, chanting the Vedas.
This is a more than 20000 years old tradition, which is preserved until today.
The first step is a 'prayashchita', A prayer to atone the sins. It says, "For the removal of all my sins and thereby to secure a divine blessing and for qualifing myself to perform the essential duties of Brahmanas as prescribed in the vedas and smritis and adopted by the really good in their conduct I put on this Yagnopavita (the sacred thread).
Then a new Yagnopavita is worn. When the thread is worn another mantra is recited which means -"I put on the sacred thread which is highly pure, is inseparable from God, is capable of prolonging life and is the foremost in the accomplishment of a Brahmana. May such pure Yagnopavita bring strength and dignity."
While removing the old thread, the mantra means -"I throw away the broken dirty old thread, may the new one bring on long life and Brahmana's brilliance."
Procedure of Avani Avittam
- First the Rishi Tharpanam (offering prayers to the ancient Rishis) is read out.
- Brahmin bachelors perform 'Samitha Daanam' and 'kamo karshith japam' after Mahasankalpam.
- Thereafter, Kaanda Rishi tharpanam is performed with the help of family priest or elders.
- As per the rituals, all the male members should have a light meal at night.
- Next day after an early bath, 'Gayathri Japam' is read out by everyone. Thereafter, Appam & Idli are served.
- Green Gram, Dhal or Kondai Kadalai Sundal are offered as Neivedhyam for the Homam (Fire ritual).
- The Homam is performed either in the house or in temples and the Arti is performed after everyone returns home.
- Naivedyam - Payasam, Vada, Gingely seeds, Rice. The other items that are served on this day are Curd Pachadi, Kosumalli Curry, Koottu, Pitlay, buttermilk, soup, rasam, dhal and chips, appalams.
Inner meaning
This day is also auspicious as the Brahmins offer libations of water to their ancestors to whom they owe their birth and to the great Rishis to whom they are highly indebted for spiritual knowledge and the Vedas themselves.For further information see upakarma
Upakarma
Upakarma called Veda Upaakarma or Avani Avittam or Jannivarada Hunnime is one of the ancient Vedic rituals practiced to date. The event is conducted once a year, in the month of Shraavana and all the Brahmins follow it...