Rigveda Upakarma (Avani Avittam) 2023: Date, Time, Rituals and Significance
As per the Hindu calendar, the Rigveda Upakarna 2023 will be celebrated this year on Aug 29, Tuesday. The Rigveda Upakarna 2023 rituals will be performed during the Shukla Paksha period in the holy month of Shravana. Rig Vedic Brahmins would change their terrified threads (janeu) from an old one to a new one on the occasion of Rigveda Upakarna 2023, followed by some rites.
Rigaveda Upakarma Date 2023
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
On the day of Rigveda Upakarna, Rig Vedic Brahmins from different states of India will undertake the rites of changing the fearful threat/ upanayana thread with a new one.
This ceremony is carried out according to a set of instructions, which includes the offering of sraddha food to the rishis. The Purnima (Full Moon) does not have to fall on the day of the Rigveda Upakarna date. If the Rigveda Upakarna Date falls on a Purnima, it is known as Sravana Purnima or Sravana Full Moon.
Significance of Rigveda Upakarma
The importance of the Rigveda Upakarna is much greater in states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh, where the population of Rig Vedic Brahmins is very large. Following the celebration of Rigveda Upakrana 2023 on August 29th, the Gayathiri Japan ritual will be observed the following day, during which the Gayatri Mantra will be chanted a significant number of times. The Rigveda Upakarna ritual is known as “Avani Avittam” in Tamil Nadu.
Avani Avittam (Upakarma) Rituals
- For the Brahmin community, Avani Avittam is one of the most important days.
- The male members of the Brahmin family alter their sacred thread on the day of Avani Avittam or Upakarma.
- They change their sacred thread on the banks of rivers or Ponds or in the temples.
- This celebration was observed by certain people in their homes.
- On this day take a sacred dip in holy rivers or Ponds and wear the new sacred thread.
- Yajnopavit, also known as the Poonool, is a new sacred thread.
- The prayers are offered in order to be cleansed of all sins and to receive Divine benefits.
- When Brahmin receives a fresh sacred thread, they repeat a mantra that symbolizes the sacred thread’s purity.
- This thread is a tool for extending life, as well as a source of strength and dignity.
- Avani Avittam Homas (free labs) are held during the day of Avani Avittam.
- Brahmins offer Tarpanam to their forefathers to wisdom and Vedas on the day of Avani Avittam.
Chant These Mantras on Rigveda Upakarna 2023
The Yagnopa Veetha Dharan Mantra,
Aachamanam Skuklaam Bharadaram Santhaye, and Om Bhur Bhuva Swaham
are among the mantras that must be chanted as part of the Rigveda Upakarna ritual. Chanting these mantras is regarded as especially vital during the Upakarna ceremony. It is seen as a form of “Tapasya” to show devotion to the Hindu gods.