Avani Avittam 2024 will be marked on August 19. Also known as Upakarma, Avani Avittam is a Vedic ritual practised by Hindus, especially Brahmana. On this occasion, the Hindu men who wear the sacred thread - janeu - discard their old one and don a new thread. Conducted once a year, during the month of Shravan or Avani according to the Tamil Calendar, the celebration is an important day for practising Brahamins who conduct the Upakarma Puja and make offerings to the rishis who composed the Vedic hymns. As we prepare to celebrate Avani Avittam 2024, here is everything you need to know about this day, how to celebrate Avani Avittam 2024, and its significance. Gayatri Jayanti 2024 Date on Shravan Purnima: Know Significance and Celebrations of Auspicious Occasion That Marks Goddess Gayatri Birth Anniversary.

When is Avani Avittam 2024?

Avani Avittam 2024 will be marked on August 19. This annual commemoration is marked on the day of Shravan Purnima and the Purnima Tithi for Avani Avittam 2024 will be marked from 03:05 AM - 11:55 PM on August 19. The auspicious thread-changing ceremony is usually conducted early in the morning, and men who wear the sacred thread wake up early, have a bath and often go to special locations where they conduct the Avani Avittam Puja and change their thread.

Significance of Avani Avittam

Upakarma means beginning or Arambham, and it refers to the ritualistic beginning of learning Veda. There is a popular folklore that is associated with the tradition of changing the sacred thread every year and the celebration of Avani Avittam. The celebration of Avani Avittam falls on the occasion of Hayagriva Jayanti - the birth anniversary of Lord Hayagriva, who is considered the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that Lord Hayagriva restored all Vedas to Brahma. Changing of the sacred thread on this day is therefore seen as a symbolic gesture towards re-learning all the teachings of the Vedas and remembering it throughout the year.

The celebration of Upakarna or Avani Avittam is mainly focused on offering prayers to the Rishis that gave the knowledge of Vedas and revealed Vedic Mantras to mankind. The celebration of Avani Avittam is mainly celebrated on Shravan Punrima by those who follow Yajurveda. Those who follow Samaveda observe the Upakarma on Hasta Nakshatra day during Bhadrapada month.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 18, 2024 10:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).