Puja
Upanayanam : About Ceremony, Procedure, Significance
Aug
Upanayanam is also known as Sacred thread ceremony, Janeu, Poonal ceremony, Yajnopavita. It is routinely known for being a Hindu sanskar, rite passage ritual, where the concept of Brahmin taught to a young boy. Children's brain full functioning starts only from the age of seven. To prove to the family and relatives, that child has developed well in intelligence and to gain a further expansion of the spiritual process, a very special function is directed sacredly ritualism and magnificently for a male child.
The Age for The Upanayanam Ceremony
The Upanayanam ceremony can be directed at the age of seven. Normally our actions can be divided into excellent, good and very good. To improve the spiritual nature in the boy in an extraordinary manner then, the sacred thread ceremony is directed at the age of 7, 9, 11 can be considered as excellent, very good, good.
This ritual conducted at the age of seven, is considered as Uthamam, at the age of nine considered as Madyamam, at the of eleven is considered as Adhama and above eighteen age as Adhamam. These details are given in ancient Shastras if a boy crosses eleven age, then the rule of conducting this ceremony only at the single-digit age which is not applicable. Then till the age of 18 age, any age can be direct to this ceremony. If a boy crosses 16 age then even the auspicious days and dates are not important.
Sacred Thread Ceremony / Upanayanam Procedure
Naandi
Naandi can be performed to get the blessings from the family ancestors. A very special feast can prepare for that day. In Sanskrit, Naandi means beginning, So with naandi begins the true rituals for the functions. Normally during the naandi before Upanayanam, the brahmins are fed and different upacharams are offered to them.
Matru Bhojana
The mother is going to feed the boy or vatu or child along with the other four children. The Vatu sits along with his mother and other four children who have already done the sacred thread ceremony. Purohit will bless the child by chanting mantras.
Yagnopaveetha Dhaaranam
By the guidance of a guru, the janue thread is placed by the father across the boy's left shoulder. Then, Munja grass is tied around the child’s waist to save the child’s purity and keeps away the evil eye.
Brahmopadesham
The supreme mantra that is Gayathri mantra can whisper in the child’s ear by the father who becomes the guru for the child.
Surya Darshanam
The child is taken out and asked to look the Lord Surya through a small hole formed by joining both the palms.
Bhikshakaranam
By saying Bhavathi Bikshamdehi the child asks for alms of rice from his mother and other women attending the ceremony. To control the ego, it can be done, which allows the young child to control his senses and then certainly receive Vedic knowledge.
Ashirwadam
Finishing of sacred thread ceremony the child seeks blessings from elders by doing namaskars. Then the child introduces himself by his name and Gothram.
Sandhya Vandanam
Sandhya Vandanam is a combination of rituals and meditation. The principles of yoga are the base on which the observances of Sandhya Vandanam are designed.
Significance of Upanayanam
Upanayanam is traditionally contemplated as equal to new birth in the religious world. The sacred thread strands stand for the purity of thoughts, acts, and words of the wearer. Through the Upanayanam ceremony, the child is introduced to the concept of Brahman and thus becomes certified to the way the life of a Brahmachari according to the guidelines of the Manusmriti. In Hinduism wearing sacred thread is extremely significant as it denotes the starting of education for the child.
Hello Sir. I am 17 year old Kshatriya boy and have been sincerely attarcted to the vedic way of life since I was a kid. But my father didn’t believe in the supremacy of Vedas. He recently passed away and can I now go undergo the upanayana ceremony and start a new life?
Hi Krishnakant,
I am not a part of your query but want to suggest something. For better understanding your answer , Please listen Yatharth Geeta link is https://yatharthgeeta.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/HINDI.pdf , I thought after complete of 8th Chapter you will get your answer
Namaste.. Do we need to see gurbala to perform upanayana as my son is 7 and half yrs. Or all kids who are below 8 yrs no need to see gurbala. Plz answer. Thank you.
Hello sir, I am Sai Bhargav, my father was passed away in the year 2017. How can I unfergo the undergo the upanayanam ceremony .
Want to book for samashti ponal. Age 17 yrs.
Hello sir. We are not Bramins. We are Padmasalier. My son 7 year now. Is it possible to do Upanayanam for my son?
Sir, My sons age 12 & 7 is it possible for ubanayanam,
My grand son’s age is 9. Is it possible for upanayanam this year
Hi What is the significance of full head tonsure for upanayanam in samaveda
In Brahma Upadesam, is the m9ther, father child and priest covered under the uttriyim and the mantra whispered in child’s ear. Or is the mother excluded. Please clarify.
Pl advise who all can give Brahmopadesham to a father less child.
Thank You V. Ramani for your query. We at Puja N Pujari have qualified pandits to perform Brahmopadesham. Please reach out to us on 9916344447 for further assistance.
Hello @toolikakumari 🙏 can kids from any caste be initiated into the spiritual life through upanayanam? Or should it be only brahmins? Kindly get back. Awaiting for your response.
Thank you Rohith for your thoughtful query. Traditionally, the Upanayanam ceremony has been associated with certain castes, primarily Brahmins. However, the essence of spiritual life transcends caste boundaries. Spirituality and the pursuit of knowledge are universal values that everyone can embrace. Our expert astrological pandits believe that anyone with a genuine interest in spiritual growth can embark on this journey. For more personalized guidance or if you have specific questions about initiating children into spiritual life, our pandits are available for a detailed discussion. Feel free to reach out for a free consultation on 9916344447. 🌟