Avani Avittam
Avani Avittam also
known as ‘Upakramam’ is a significant ritual for Brahmin community in Kerala
and Tamil Nadu. It is observed on the ‘Shravan Purnima’ (full moon day) of the
traditional Hindu calendar, which is the also the day of Raksha Bandhan. The word
‘Avani’ implies the ‘Tamil month’ and ‘Avittam’ is ‘one among the 27
Nakshatras’. Brahmins community in all corners of the world observe the Avani
Avittam ritual with full dedication and devotion.
The Yajur Vedic Brahmins begin reading
Yajur Veda on this day for next six months. On Avani Avittam Brahmins are
bestowed with a holy thread and it is believed that the third eye (eye of
wisdom) opens up. Avani Avittam is celebrated with immense zeal in Orissa,
Maharashtra and southern states of India and is also known as ‘Janeyu Purnima’
or ‘Jandhyala Purnima’.
Significance of Avani Avittam:
The festival of Avani Avittam signifies
a new beginning of learning Veda. In the Hindu mythology, this day is
considered very auspicious as Lord Vishnu incarnated as Lord Hayagriva, the God
of knowledge, on this day. Lord Hayagriva was the one who reinstated the Vedas
to Lord Brahma. This day is also celebrated as ‘Hayagriva Jayanti’. Avani
Avittam holds immense importance to Yajur, Sama and Rig Vedic Brahmins. Avani
Avittam is also celebrated as the day to express gratitude towards the Rishis
for the spiritual knowledge and ancestors for their existence. The day after
Avani Avittam is celebrated as ‘Gayatri Japam’. In some regions of southern
India, this day is known as ‘Upakarma’.
Rituals during Avani Avittam:
- On the
day of Avani Avittam a sacred vow or ‘Mahasankalpam’ is taken for
compensation of the sins committed in the past year. Sacred mantras are
chanted during this time.
- Brahmins
get up at sunrise and take a holy dip. On Avani Avittam Brahmins wear a
new sacred thread called as ‘Janeyu’ or ‘Yajnopavit’. It is the most
important ritual on Avani Avittam and Vedic mantras are chanted during
this time. It is usually a community observance that is performed on the
banks of a river or pond.
- After
wearing the new thread or Janeyu, the older one is discarded to signify a
new beginning.
2017 Date : 28th July.
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