Fwd: Avani Avittam 2018 - 26th Aug 2018

[Jambunathan Iyer]

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.

 

Followers of Yajur veda perform the rituals on the full moon day in Avani while those who follow Rig veda do the rituals on Thiruvonam/Shravana star day in the same month. 

 

Sama veda followers observe the rituals on Hastam star day in the month of Purattasi. However, the ritualistic importance of the day transcends the difference in the dates of observance.

 

Lord Vishnu manifested as Hayagriva on this day and restored the Vedas stolen by the demons to Lord Brahma.  Hayagriva is also revered as the God of Knowledge.

 

The men in the family will perform an upakarma in the morning. Upakarma means “beginning” and here it refers to the start of vedic studies. 

 

Thus, Yajur Upakarma refers to commencing the studies of the Yajur Veda and the Brahmins read it for the next six months. 

 

First, a rishi tharpanam (prayers) is offered to the Rishis (Saints) who revealed the vedic mantras. A mahasankalpam (vow) is taken to atone for all the sins committed in the past year and then samitha daanam and kamo karshith japam are performed. 

 

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’.

 

Avani Avittam 2018 is on August 26 Sunday

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.

Important Timings On Avani Avittam

Sunrise    26-Aug-2018 06:10 AM

Sunset     26-Aug-2018 18:46 PM

Purnima Tithi Begins       25-Aug-2018 15:16 PM

Purnima Tithi Ends  26-Aug-2018 17:26 PM

 

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’.

Avani Avittam festival

Date in 2018 is on August 26 Sunday

date in 2019 Thursday, 15th of August

N Jambunathan (Ex: REVL & IMPAL)
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