Avani Avittam / Upakramam
Avani Avittam or Upakramam is a ritual that is followed by the Brahmins. This ritual is most commonly celebrated in the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala and also in the states of Orissa and Maharashtra. This ritual is performed on the day of Shravan Purnima that is the same day as Raksha Bandhan.
Rituals of Avani Avittam
On this day, a Mahasankalpam or a vow is taken for the penitence of all sins in the past year. The Brahmins on this day take a holy dip and wear a new holy thread called Yajnopavit or Janeyu.
In the ritual of Upakramam, the first step is 'prayashchita'. This is a prayer that is recited to wash away all the sins. The prayer goes something like this:
"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".
While removing the old thread, the mantra recited means:
"I throw away the broken dirty old thread, may the new one bring on long life and Brahmana's brilliance."
When the new thread is worn then 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."
Significance of this Day
This day is very important for the Brahmins. The name given to the rituals is 'Upakramam', that means the beginning. On this day, the Yajurvedis begin to read Yajur Veda for next six months. The day is also auspicious because it is believed that on this day Lord Vishnu was incarnated as Lord Hayagriva, the lord of knowledge, and reinstated the Vedas to Brahma.
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