Festivals

Yajurveda Upakarma 2023: Avani Avittam History, Significance and Rituals; Know Everything Here

The day following Yajurveda Upakarma, also known as Gayatri Japa, 1008 repetitions of the Gayatri Mantra are recited. Typically, this unique day coincides with the festival of Raksha Bandhan in northern and central India.

Yajurveda Upakarma 2023: Upakarma, which translates to “beginning,” is a sacred Hindu ceremony, particularly for Brahmins, and marks the commencement of Vedas study. Yajurveda Upakarma signifies the start of acquiring Yajur Veda, one of the four Vedas in Hinduism. On the full moon day of the Hindu month Shravana, this ritual is performed primarily by Brahmin males. In addition to beginning the study of the Vedas on this day, there is also a ritual involving the Brahmins’ sacred thread (Janeyu). Additionally, Hayagriva Jayanti and Gayatri Jayanti are observed on the day of Yajurveda Upakarma. The following article discusses Yajurveda Upakarma 2023, including its date, method of observance, significant rituals, etc.

Get Ready for the Supermoon Blue Moon Spectacle!

Yajurveda Upakarma 2023 Date

Yajurveda Upakarma occurs on Purnima (full moon day) in the Hindu month of Shravana, also known as Shravan Purnima day (one of the most auspicious days for Hindus). This day is typically honored in the months of July or August on the Gregorian calendar. According to the Hindu calendar, Yajurveda Upakarma will occur on Wednesday, August 30th, 2023.

Upakarma for various Vedas, namely Yajurveda, Rigveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda, are performed on different days. Rigveda adherents observe the Upakarma on the day of Shravana Nakshatra in the month of Shravana. Samaveda Upakarma day occurs approximately two weeks after Yajurveda and Rigveda Upakarma days.

Hayagriva Jayanti and Gayatri Jayanti

Also celebrated on the day of Yajurveda Upakarma are Hayagriva Jayanti and Gayatri Jayanti. Hayagriva is an incarnation of Vishnu and the deity of knowledge and wisdom; he restored the Vedas that Brahma had stolen. As Hayagriva was reborn on the day of Upakarma, this day is celebrated as Hayagriva Jayanti. It is believed that Goddess Gayatri, also known as the Mother of the Vedas, was born on the day of Yajurveda Upakarma; therefore, Upakarma is also celebrated as Gayatri Jayanti.

Lord Hayagriva is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu with the body of a human and the cranium of a horse. According to legend, Lord Vishnu gave the four Vedas to Lord Brahma, but two demons named Madhu and Kaitabha took them. To retrieve the Vedas from the demons, Lord Vishnu assumed the guise of Hayagriva, a human with the head of a horse. He slew these demons and reestablished the four Vedas. It is also believed that Lord Vishnu created the two demons and commanded them to take the book when he observed Brahma’s pride after he learned the Vedas and wished to return him to humility. Another legend claims that Vishnu compiled the Vedas in the Hayagriva form.

Yajurveda Upakarma Importance

Upakarma is performed to show appreciation to the rishis who imparted knowledge of the Vedas and Vedic Mantras. Upakarma is of great importance to Brahmins, who offer water to their progenitors and the great rishis who gave them Vedic spiritual knowledge. In addition, because the Vedas were restored on the day of Upakarma, it is regarded as an auspicious day to start something new.

Yajurveda Upakarma Rituals

On the occasion of Avani Avittam, men execute the pre-sunrise Sandhya Vandanam ritual while the stars are still visible. After Sandhya Vandanam, Kamokarsheet Japam is performed as a Prayaschitta to seek absolution for the sins committed by those who studied the Vedas during the prohibited period, as well as other general sins.

On the day of Yajurveda Upakarma, additional Tarpanam rituals are performed, including Brahma Yagyam, Deva Tarpanam, Rishi Tarpanam, Pitru Tarpanam, Maha Sankalpam, Yagnopaveetham Dharanam, Kaanda Rishi Tarpanam, and Veda Parayanam. Following these rituals is the chanting of sacred mantras as described in the Veda. On this day, the Homam (a fire ritual) is also performed, with gram, dhal, etc. offered as Neivedhyam for the ceremony. On this day, special Prasada is prepared from a variety of fruits, dried fruits, milk, ghee, til, jaggery, cucumber, and rice flour.