The Upanayana ceremony in progress in Nepal. Traditionally, this ritual was for 7, 9, and 11 year olds in South Asia, but is now practiced for all ages as seen above.[1]
Upanayana (Sanskrit: उपनयन, romanized: upanayana, lit. 'initiation') is a Hindu educational sacrament,[2] one of the traditional saṃskāras or rites of passage that marked the acceptance of a student by a preceptor, such as a guru or acharya, and an individual's initiation into a school in Hinduism. Some traditions consider the ceremony as a spiritual rebirth for the child or future dvija, twice born. It signifies the acquisition of the knowledge of and the start of a new and disciplined life as a brahmacharya. According to the given community and region, it is also known by numerous terms such as janai or janea, poita/paita, logun/nagun, yajnopavita, bratabandha, bratopanayan, and mekhal.[3] The Upanayanam ceremony is arguably the most important rite for the Brahmin male, ensuring his rights and responsibilities as a Brahmin and signifying his advent into adulthood.[4]
The tradition is widely discussed in ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism and varies regionally.[5] The sacred thread or yajnopavita (also referred to as Janeu, Jandhyam,Poonul, Munja and Janivara[6] Yonya[7]) has become one of the most important identifiers of the Upanayana ceremony in contemporary times, however this was not always the case.[8] Generally, this ceremony should be performed before the advent of adulthood.
^Coward & Cook 1996, p. 67.
^Kanitkar & Cole 2010, p. 4.
^"Dr. Shashishekhar Toshkhani: The Literary Works". www.ikashmir.net. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
^Carstairs, G. Morris; Kapur, Ravi L. (1976). The Great Universe of Kota: Stress, Change, and Mental Disorder in an Indian Village. University of California Press. p. 49. ISBN 978-0-520-03024-4.
^Kane 1941, pp. 268–287.
^Sastry, C. V. (25 January 2022). Rituals & Practices of Hinduism. Zorba Books. ISBN 978-93-93029-12-6.
^"Yonya (Janeu Holy Thread)". www.kashmiribazaar.in. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
Upanayana (Sanskrit: उपनयन, romanized: upanayana, lit. 'initiation') is a Hindu educational sacrament, one of the traditional saṃskāras or rites of passage...
form was known by the Buddha. The mantra is an important part of the upanayana ceremony. Modern Hindu reform movements spread the practice of the mantra...
and Vaishyas (farmers, herders and merchants) — whose samskara of the Upanayana initiation was regarded as a second or spiritual birth. The word Dvija...
Upanayana when they turn seven years old to initiate them into Vedic studies. It is also known as Brahmopadesha. The key ritual during the Upanayana is...
Assamese Brahmins are the Brahmins present in the Assamese society. There they promoted learning, Vedic religion, astrology, ayurveda and as well as imparting...
his mother was a Muslim, Brahmin priests refused to conduct the Hindu upanayana ceremony for him. Thus, Bajirao ordered that he be raised as a Muslim...
birth or marriage, and festivals, such as Holi, Surya Shasti, Kali Puja, Upanayana, and Durga Puja. Traditionally, painting was one of the skills that was...
position on the floor. [citation needed] Shivalli Brahmin males undergo the Upanayana when they turn seven years old to initiate them into Vedic studies.[citation...
Karnavedha (ear piercing), Vidyarambha (baby's start with knowledge), Upanayana (entry into a school rite), Keshanta and Ritusuddhi (first shave for boys...
called Saptapadi or Agnipradakṣiṇam (seven steps and mutual vows), in the Upanayana ceremony of rite of passage, as well being part of the diyā (lamp) in...
Narasaraopet, Andhra Pradesh. He was a religiously minded child. His upanayana ceremony was performed when he was seven years of age. In addition to...
Prabhus) were the communities advanced in education. The CKPs have the upanayana ( janeu or thread ceremony) and have been granted the rights to study...
Global Information