Upanayana the ancient Indian rite of passage for the start of formal education of writing, numbers, reading, Vedangas, arts and other skills. The Upanayana rite of passage was also important to the teacher, as the student would therefrom begin to live in the Gurukul (school). Upanayana was an elaborate ceremony, that included rituals involving the family, the child and the teacher. A boy receives during this ceremony a sacred thread called Yajñopaveetam, that he wears. Yajñopavita ceremony announced that the child had entered into formal education. In the modern era, the Upanayana rite of passage is open to anyone at any age.
Upanayanam Pooja can be performed in Home or in any temple. Some of the best temples to perform Upanayanam Pooja are:
Where to Perform Upanayanam Pooja:
- Tirumala
- Annavaram
- Dwaraka Tirumala
- Ganagapur
- Matralayam
- Basara
- Kadiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
- Yadadri
- Dharmapuri Narasimha Swamy Temple
- Peddakakani
- Kaleshwaram
- Kukke Subramanya Swamy Temple
- Sripada Srivallabha Pithapuram
- Other Shiva and Vaishnava Temple places
When Should We Perform Upanayanam:
- 5th or 8th Saura year
- 5th year particularly promotes Intellectual and Moral development
- According to Shukra Charya, 6th year is for Spiritual growth.
- Shiva devotees can perform in Ardra while Vaishnavites can perform Sravana.
Apvada:
7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
According to Varanas:
11th, 12th, 16th, 20th and 24th year
Ayana:
Uttarayana Shubha
Which Season (Ritu) is good Upanayanam?
Avoid the end of Ritu. According to Varana Vasantha, Grishma, Sharad Ritu are favorable.
Which Masa is Good for Upanyanam?
Avoid the month and Adhika Masa Month of Jyeshta, if it is eldest.
Which Nakshatra is good for Upanayanam?
Aswini, Rohini, Mrigasira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Uttaraphalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Swathi, Anuradha, Uttarashada, Sravana, Dhanishta, Satabhisha, Uttarabhadra and Revati are favourable. The end (Last 26 mins and 40 secs of arc) of all Nakshatras to be avoided.
Upanayanam for Rig Vedis: Mrigasira, Purvaphalguni, Hasta, Chitra, Swathi, Mula, Purvashada, Purvabhadra
Upanayanam for Yajur Vedis: Rohini, Mrigasira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Uttaraphalguni, Hasta, Anuradha, Uttarashada, Uttarabhadr and Revathi.
Upanayanam for Sama Vedis: Aswini, Pushya, Uttaraphalguni, Hasta, Uttarabhadra
Upanayanam for Atharva Vedis: Aswini, Mrigasira, Punarvasu, Pushya, Hasta, Anuradha, Dhanishta and Revathi
Which Tithi is good Upanayanam?
2nd, 3rd, 5th and 10th Shukla Paksha. 1st, 2nd and 3rd Krishna Paksha are favorable.
4th, 8th, 9th, 14th and 15th should be avoided.
Which Lagna is good Upanayanam?
Rishaba, Mithuna, Kataka, Simha, Kanya, Thula, Dhanasu and Meena are favorable.
The Moon should not be in the Lagna. The moon Jupiter, Venus and Lagna Lord Should not be in 6th or 8th. Shubha Graha should not be in the Dhustana. Asubha Grahas should not be in the 1st, 5th or 8th, it does good in 3rd, 6th and 11th.
Upanayanam Pooja Samagri:
- Haldi Powder – 200 Gms
- Meenakshi Kumkum – 100 Gms
- Haldi Sticks -100 Gms
- Sandal Powder – 1 No
- Betel Nuts – 50 Gms
- Agarbathi – 1
- Match Box – 1
- Camphor – 100gms
- Cow Ghee – 1/2 Kg
- Pancha Deepam oil – 250 Gms
- Coins – 11
- Akshathan – 100 Gms
- Rice – 1Kg
- Rice Powder – 200 Gms
- Honey – 50 Gms
- Camphor – 50gms
- Shanku -1
- Padarasam (Mercury) – 1
- Coins – 21
- Rice – 3 Kg
- Pasupu – 200 Gms
- Pasupu Kommulu-100 Gms
- Cow Ghee – 100 Gms
- Coins – 30
- Betel Nuts – 100 Gms
- Pancha Deepam oil – 200 Gms
- Ravva- 1 Kg
