What is Upanayanam ?

Upanayanam (lit. "near-sight"), also called "sacred thread ceremony", is commonly known for being a Hindu Sanskar, rite-of-passage ritual, where the concept of Brahman is introduced to a young
boy. The youngster is taught during the ceremony the secret of life through Brahmopadesam (revealing the nature of Brahman, the Ultmate Reality) or the Gayatri mantra. The hallmark of
having gone through the Upanayana ceremony is the wearing of the Yajopavtam (Sacred Thread) on the body. Yajopavtam has three threads (actually only one thread, folded three tmes and
ted together) each consistng of three strands. These threads represent :-
Goddess Gayatri (Goddess of mind),
Goddess Saraswat (Goddess of word) and
Goddess Savitri (Goddess of deed).
Upanayanam makes the person receiving it a Dwija, a twice-born! The initaton was done by the Upadesam of the Gayathri manthram. The manthram is a universal prayer that can be used by
men of all climes and creeds, for, it calls upon the Glorious Power that pervades the Sun and the three words to arouse, awaken and strengthen the Intelligence, so that it may lead to intense
Sadhana and Sadhana may lead to success.
NANDHIMUKHA CEREMONY
It is performed generally just a day before the upanayanam to obtain the blessings of the family ancestors .The feast prepared for that day is also very specifc.. Nandi in Sanskrit means the
beginning, so with Nandi begins the actual rituals for the functons. Usually during the Nandisradham before Upanayanam, the Brahmins are fed and various Upacharams are ofered to them.
Atleast 9 brahmins are served food and dhanam is given to each of them
UTHAKASHANTHI :

It is conducted for the purifcaton of the mind and body and the protecton of the child. All names of the deites are chanted in the form of manthras and invoked in water and then poured over
the child.





YAGNOPAVEETHADHAARANAM

Under the guidance of a guru, the sacred thread is placed by the father across the childs lef shoulder. Further , Moonji (a gridle made out of Munja grass) is ted around the childs waist to
protect the childs purity and keep evils away.

KUMARABHOJANAM


Afer the auspicious yagnopaveethadhaarana , the boy is fed along with a bramchari.
BRAHMOPADESAM


Gayatri Manthra , the supreme manthra is whispered in the childs ears by the father who becomes the guru for the child.

SOORYA DARSHAN

The child is taken out and asked to see the sun through a peep hole formed by clasping both the palms .

BHIKSAKARANAM


The child asks for alms of rice by saying Bhavadhi Bhiksandehi from his mother and other women atending the functon. It is done to control the ego , which enables the young vatu to control
his senses and then essentally receive vedic knowledge.










ABIVATHANAM


Afer upanayanam the boy seeks blessings from the elders by namaskaram. The child then introduces himself by his gotharam and suthram .


Sandhyavandanam: is an amalgamaton of meditaton and rituals. The principles of Yoga are the basis on which the rituals of Sandhyavandanam are designed. Sandhyavandana is a prescribed
nityakarma (Compulsory regular actvity). Sandhya (the tme of union) vandanam (worship) means a ritual done at the tme of three junctons, Dawn, Noon and Dusk. Both worship and
meditaton are involved in Sandhyavandanam. Pranayama and Japam are involved in this actvity. Salutatons are ofered to the lord to thank for what we consttute of, i.e. panchabhootas - earth,
water, fre, space & air. In the prayers that form part of the Sandhyavandanam, we ask the Lord for long life, health and prosperity and ultmately, we ask for more jnana. All these are included in
the mantra. The very performance itself gives the result.