Why does Avani Avittam fall on three different days?

Because it's tied to which Veda a family follows. Yajurvedis keep it on Shravana Purnima, Rigvedis on Shravana nakshatra, and Samavedis in Bhadrapada on Hasta nakshatra. It's the day the sacred thread is renewed and the year's Vedic study formally begins. Gayathri Japam is the day after.

Avani Avittam (Rigveda Upakarma)

Tamil · Malayalam

अवनी अवित्तम (ऋग्वेद) · અવની અવિટ્ટમ (ઋગ્વેદ)

2026

26 August 2026

Wednesday · Shukla Trayodashi

Tithi begins06:21 AM · 25 Aug

Tithi ends07:59 AM

Full panchang for this day

About

Sacred thread changing ceremony (Upakarma) for Rigvedi Brahmins. New Yajnopavita is worn and Vedic studies renewed.

Falls on: Three different days, one for each Veda: - Yajurveda Upakarma, Avani month, Shravana Purnima (the same day as Raksha Bandhan) - Rigveda Upakarma, Avani month, Shravana nakshatra - Samaveda Upakarma, Bhadrapada, Hasta nakshatra

What it is

The annual renewal of the yajnopavita, the sacred thread, and the formal start of the year's Vedic study. Atonement is offered for lapses in recitation, the old thread discarded and a new one worn. Gayathri Japam follows the next day.

Food

Sattvik; ellu sadam (sesame rice) and payasam.

Common questions

Why does Avani Avittam fall on three different days?: Because it's tied to which Veda a family follows. Yajurvedis keep it on Shravana Purnima, Rigvedis on Shravana nakshatra, and Samavedis in Bhadrapada on Hasta nakshatra. It's the day the sacred thread is renewed and the year's Vedic study formally begins. Gayathri Japam is the day after.

Avani Avittam (Rigveda Upakarma) date in 2025 Avani Avittam (Rigveda Upakarma) date in 2027