Avani Avittam (Upakarma)

Lord Shiva, the Saptarishis (seven sages), and the Veda — annual renewal of the Yajnopavitam (sacred thread)

Shaiva Siddhanta

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Avani Avittam (Upakarma) in the Shaiva Siddhanta tradition — the annual renewal of the Yajnopavitam (sacred thread) and the formal restart of Veda-adhyayana. Observed on Sravana Purnima with tarpanam to the Saptarishis, Mahasankalpam, sacred-thread renewal, and the Sri Rudram-Chamakam abhishekam at the local Shiva temple.

Dates 2026–2027

August 27, 2026

Mantra

ॐ नमः शिवाय । यज्ञोपवीतं परमं पवित्रं प्रजापतेर्यत्सहजं पुरस्तात् । आयुष्यमग्र्यं प्रतिमुञ्च शुभ्रं यज्ञोपवीतं बलमस्तु तेजः ॥

Om Namah Shivaya. Yajnopavitam Paramam Pavitram Prajapater Yat Sahajam Purastat. Ayushyam-Agryam Pratimuncha Shubhram Yajnopavitam Balam-Astu Tejah.

Salutations to Shiva. The sacred thread is the supreme purifier, born with Prajapati at the beginning. May the bright sacred thread, granting the foremost long-life, strength and lustre, be ever upon me. (Yajnopavitam dharana mantra)

How to recite

Avani Avittam (Upakarma) is observed on the day of the full-moon (Sravana Purnima) when the moon is in Avittam (Shravana / Dhanishtha) nakshatra in the Tamil month Avani. Brahmin men perform the annual renewal of the Yajnopavitam (sacred thread), offer tarpanam to the Saptarishis, recite the Mahasankalpam, and conclude with abhishekam to Shiva and the family deity. Sama Vedis observe Upakarma on a different day (Hasta nakshatra in Bhadrapada). In Tamil Shaiva homes, the Sri Rudram and Tirumantiram are recited along with the Veda Arambham (formal restart of Veda study).

Benefits

Upakarma (Avani Avittam) is the annual renewal of the sacred-thread vow and the formal restart of Veda-adhyayana. Observance of the day with the proper sankalpa, tarpanam, and Yajnopavitam-renewal grants the merit of a year of regular Veda-study, purifies past lapses in the brahmacharya/grhastha disciplines, and renews the bond between the householder and his family-rishi-lineage (gotra). In the Shaiva Siddhanta tradition the day is paired with full Sri Rudram-Chamakam recitation at the local Shiva temple.

✦ Special Note

Avani Avittam (Yajur Upakarma) falls on Shravana/Avani Purnima — 2026: Aug 27 per Drik Panchang. Yajur Vedis and Rg Vedis follow the Sravana Purnima/Avittam date; Sama Vedis observe Upakarma on Hasta nakshatra in Bhadrapada (a different day). Dates per the Thirukanthika Panchangam (Tamil Shaiva almanac, Chennai reckoning).

Foods Allowed

Til-laddu and til-jaggery sweets — the traditional Upakarma prasadamSundal, vada, payasam, sakkarai pongalAkkaravadisal (sweet rice with jaggery and ghee) — Upakarma naivedyamFresh fruits, coconut, milk and panchamrit

Foods to Avoid

Meat, fish, eggs, alcoholOnion and garlic in the naivedyamStale food — only freshly cooked Upakarma offerings are taken

Meal Idea

Til-laddu and akkaravadisal as the morning Upakarma naivedyam; sundal, vada, payasam, sakkarai pongal through the day; concludes with the Sri Rudram-Chamakam abhishekam at the local Shiva temple.

🪔 Aarti

Om Jai Shiv Omkara

ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा, स्वामी जय शिव ओंकारा । ब्रह्मा, विष्णु, सदाशिव, अर्द्धांगी धारा ॥ एकानन चतुरानन पंचानन राजे । हंसासन गरुड़ासन वृषवाहन साजे ॥ दो भुज चार चतुर्भुज दसभुज अति सोहे । त्रिगुण रूप निरखत त्रिभुवन जन मोहे ॥ अक्षमाला वनमाला मुंडमाला धारी । त्रिपुरारी कंसारी कर माला धारी ॥ श्वेतांबर पीतांबर बाघंबर अंगे । सनकादिक गरुड़ादिक भूतादिक संगे ॥ कर के मध्य कमंडलु चक्र त्रिशूलधारी । सुखकारी दुखहारी जगपालनकारी ॥ ब्रह्मा विष्णु सदाशिव जानत अविवेका । प्रणवाक्षर के मध्ये ये तीनों एका ॥ काशी में विराजे विश्वनाथ, नंदी ब्रह्मचारी । नित उठ दर्शन पावत, महिमा अति भारी ॥ त्रिगुणस्वामी जी की आरती, जो कोई नर गावे । कहत शिवानंद स्वामी, मनवांछित फल पावे ॥

Karpur Gauram Karunavataram

कर्पूरगौरं करुणावतारं संसारसारं भुजगेन्द्रहारम् । सदावसन्तं हृदयारविन्दे भवं भवानीसहितं नमामि ॥

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