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. Accordingly Lord Hayagriva was the one who reinstated the Vedas to Lord Brahma and hence 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.
Meanwhile the day after Avani Avittam is celebrated as ‘Gayatri Japam’. In some regions of southern India, this day is known as ‘Upakarma’. Further 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.
Usually 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.
