Avani Avittam is an important ritual associated with the Brahmin community. Upakarma means beginning or “Arambham “i.e. to begin the study of the Veda also called “Avani Avittam” in Tamil is a Vedic ritual practiced by Hindus of the Brahmin caste. For example, Yajur Upakarma means to begin the study of the Yajur Veda. Those belonging to the Yajur Veda observe the Upakarma in the month of Sravana (August-September), on the day of the full moon (paurnami). Why begin study of the Vedas on this particular day? This auspicious day also happens to be the day when Lord Narayana took the avatara as Lord Hayagriva. Lord Hayagriva as we all know restored the Vedas to Brahma and also is the God of Knowledge.
On the Avani Avittam day, Brahmins after a holy dip, change the sacred thread and wear a new holy thread. This ritual is known as Upakarma.The sacred thread is referred as ‘Poonool,’ ‘Yajnopavita’ or ‘Janeyu.’ The ritual also symbolizes the permission to study the Vedas.
References – Wikipedia, www.ramanuja.org, www.hindu-blog.com
I have compiled the Avani Avittam Special recipes below- (All festival cooking is done without onion and garlic)
Poli ( Puran poli)
Chutney
Appalam
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nice compilation of recipes for avani avittam
Delicious and yummy looking dish.
Deepa
Poonal in Tamil is called Janivaara in Kannada.
This year 2013, both Rig and yajur upakarma have fallen on the same day, today. Next day ( tomorrow) is Gayathri festival in which we are traditionally supposed to chant 108, 1008 japam of Gayathri mantra.
Foe people following sama veda , the same falls on Ganesh chaturthi day.
Good Article
Thank you so much for the compilation….and the fantastic recipes