Avani Avittam / Upkarmam Upakramam Upanayanam Raksha Bandhan 2011 Mantras Significance Rituals Hindus Prayers

What is known as Avani Avittam in South India, is same as Raksha Bandhan which is popular festival celebrated in North India. This festival falls on the full moon day of the Hindu month 'Shravana'. Previously, it is purely a Hindu festival but gradually the festivity of Avani Avittam has spread its spirit to other religions around the world. Hindus wear a holy thread and offer libations of water to the ancient Rishis on this day. It is a beautifully celebrated religious religious observations by the Brahmins in south India.


Rituals of Avani Avittam/ Upakramam
Avani Avittam is also known by 'Upakramam' which signifies the beginning of of studying the Veda, which is performed during the period of Avani to Tai. The period corresponds from mid-August to mid- January as per the english calendar. The Upakramam ceremony of Brahmins follow with the recitation of poem, which is called 'prayashchita'. Early in morning, Brahmins take out their Mahasankalpam or thread for penance of their all wrong doing which they have done in past one year. After that they take a holy bath and wear a new thread, called as Janeyu or Yajnopavit.

Being celebrated with great enthusiasm in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, this festival is rigorously being followed in some parts of Orissa and Maharashtra. This festival is celebrated on the Shravana Purnima and quite well-known as Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi around the globe. In northern India, sisters tie an amulet called Rakhi on the wrist of their brothers. The thread is entwined with blessings and good wishes of sister for their dearly brother. In exchange brothers vow to stand by her during thick and thin of life.

Avani Avittam : its Significance
For Brahmins, Avani Avittam is marked as one of the most auspicious event. The day is dotted as an important one for Yajurvedis also as they started reading Yajur Veda, which they remain continuing for next 6 months. It is believed that on Avani Avittam, Lord Vishnu has reincarnation itself into Lord Hayagriya, which is the symbol of wealth and knowledge. On this day, God Vishnu who is worshiped as the high deity power actually restored the Vedas to Brahma.

Prayer Mantras and Meaning :-
The prayer of that people recite to wash away all the sins on this day is something like :-

"For the removal of all my sins and thereby to secure a divine blessing and for qualifing myself to perform the essential duties of Brahmanas as prescribed in the vedas and smritis and adopted by the really good in their conduct I put on this Yagnopavita".

While removing the old thread, the mantra recited means :-

"I throw away the broken dirty old thread, may the new one bring on long life and Brahmana's brilliance."

When the new thread is worn then another mantra is recited which means: "I put on the sacred thread which is highly pure, is inseparable from God, is capable of prolonging life and is the foremost in the accomplishment of a Brahmana. May such pure Yagnopavita bring strength and dignity."

RAKSHA BANDHAN is called Avani Avittam in South India. This falls on the full moon day of the month of Sravan (August-September). It is an important Hindu festival. Hindus wear a new holy thread and offer libations of water to the ancient Rishis on this day.

Recitation of the Vedas on this great day is highly beneficial. This festival is also known as Upakarmam, and is specially sacred to the Brahmins, who have been invested with the sacred thread. When the Brahmin boy is invested with this holy thread, symbolically his third eye, or the eye of wisdom, is opened. This festival of Upakarmam reminds the wearer of the sacred thread of its glorious spiritual significance. Brahmins also offer libations of water to their ancestors to whom they owe their birth and to the great Rishis to whom they are highly indebted for their spiritual knowledge and the Vedas themselves. The true Hindu never forgets his benefactors!

The followers of the four different Vedas have their Upakarmam on different days.

On this day, Sachi, the consort of Indra, tied a holy thread or amulet around the wrist of Indra, when he was defeated by the demons. Then Indra, the king of gods, gained victory over the demons by the power of this protection (Raksha means "protection") and recovered the lost city of Amaravati.

Aarupadai Veedu Lord Murugan Temples in Madurai, Thiruchendur, Thiruttani, Swami Malai

Coming to the six holy abodes of Muruga as declared by the Tamil poet Nakeerar in his late Sangam period classic of Murugan devotion these are:

1. Tirupparamkundram
2. Tiruchendur
3. Tiruvavinankudi (Palani)
4. Tiruverakam (Swami Malai)
5. Kundruthoraadal (Tiruttani and several other hills) and
6. Pazhamuthircholai

Out of the six above, 3 are in Madurai and two very close to Madurai Thiruchendur (near Tuticorin) and another in Swami malai.

Muruga abundantly blesses devotees who worship at these holy places.

Tirupparamkundran is at a distance of eight kilometers from Madurai in South India. This holy place is associated with the divine marriage of Muruga with Tevayanai. Tiru Jñana Sambhandar and Sundaramurti Swamigal, two of the Saiva Samaya quartet visited Tiruparamkundram. There is a sacred tank known as Saravana Poygai in the temple precincts. It is a joy to see fish leaping in the tank and rushing to accept puffed rice (Pori) offered to them!

The Subramanya shrine at Tiruchendur is situated by the seashore. From Tirunelveli in the South India, one has to travel a distance of about 60 km to reach this beautiful sea resort. Muruga vanquished the demonic forces led by Soorapadma at Tiruchendur. The Lord's heroic fight with Soora is enacted with religious fervor here during the annual Skanda Sashti festival shortly after Deepavali (October-November), which draws half a million devotees on the sixth day alone. Though the temple is in close proximity to sea, if one goes into the interior of the sanctum sanctorum, one is surprised to find a hillock there! Is not the Lord Senthil Andvar also the one Who ever loves to reside at hill tops? We do not find the usual 'Vel' in the deity's hand at this temple, since He is depicted as one offering puja to Siva in recompense for taking so many lives in battle. Jagadguru Adi Sanakara (8th century) visited the Tiruchendur temple and offered prayers. The famous hymn Sri Subramanya Bhujangam and Kandar Kali Venpa were composed at this sacred spot.

Palani is the third Padai Veedu. The other names of Pazhani are Sivagiri and Sivamalai. Pazhani is at a distance of about 60 km from Dindigul in western Tamil Nadu. While Sri Dandayudhapani blesses devotees from the hill top, there is a more ancient Muruga temple at the foot of the hill, which is called Tiruvavinankudi. It is believed that sage Agasthya did penance at Tiruvavinankudi and learned the five grammars of Tamil language under Lord Muruga's expert tutelage.

Tiruverakam comes next. Popularly known as Swamimalai, it is located at a distance 8 km from Kumbakonam in Tanjore District on the northern banks of the river Cauvery. The Lord here presents Himself as Gurunatha Who taught the essence of Pranava to His Father, Siva ('Swami') and thus became Swaminatha. Arunagirinatha obtained darshan of the divine lotus feet of Lord Muruga here.

Kundruthoraadal is a generic term which denotes many a hill having holy shrines of Muruga. Tiruttani is prominent among them. Situated at a distance of 13km from Arakonam, near Madras, Tiruttani abounds in scenic beauty. In Tiruttanai, so it is said, Murugan is in a soothing and relaxed mood. His ire over Soora and his kinsmen, whom He vanquished in battle, has cooled down. His two divine consorts, Valli and Teyvayanai are with Him at this temple. Tiruttani has a unique distinction since it is the favourite hill of Muruga among all the hills in the world. The Lord Himself has said so to Valli, as we learn from the Valliammai Tirumanam chapter of the Kanda Puranam. There is a school of thought which professes that Muruga preached the essence of Pranava to His Father Siva in Tiruttani, which is also known as Santadri and Paripoornachalam. Every year, on December 31, a large number of devotees congregate at Tiruttani. They sing Tiruppugazh while climbing the steps leading to the temple at the hill top and worship the Lord Tanigesa (Muruga).

Pazhamuthircholai comes last in the series of six holy places. This is at a distance of about 20 km from Madurai in Tamil Nadu. The temple of Muruga, Who is flanked by Valli and Teyvayanai, is located amidst quiet and beautiful landscape. At the top of the hill, is Noopura Ganga, a perennial waterfall with a temple dedicated to Raakkayi Amman. Azhagar Kovil, the temple of Sri Narayana, is also near Pazhamuthircholai.

thanks to lordmurugan.com and murugan.org

Hindu Customs to Follow day-to-day Fasting

1. When you are leaving the town from home, you should leave from the front entrance of your home and not from the rear side.
2. On Wednesdays and Saturdays never give or lend Gold or Silver Items.
3. You should never do auspicious things wearing wet clothes. Only inauspicious things are performed wearing wet clothes.
4. If you start repaying the first installment or payback regularly on Tuesdays your loan will be settled quickly.
5. Fasing on Chadurthi makes your life happier and increases the chances of attaining more benefits at work.
6. Fasting on Sankadahara Chadurthi protects you from sudden death and accidents.
7. Fasting on Sashti, Kirthigai protects you from evil forces and from health problems.
8. Fasting on Ekadesi brings you peace of mind and happiness.
9. Fasting on Pradosha fulfills all the desires and makes your life of no wants.
10. Fasting on Shivarathri makes your wishes come true.
11. When a person prays or performs a pooja for the benefit of others it is called as Paarartha Pooja.
12. You should never have a oil head bath on Amavasai, Pournami, Janma Nakshatram and on Sundays and also on your birthday and wedding day.
13. It is believed that Parvati resides at the base, Saraswati at the centre of the palm of your hand and Laksmi at the upper portion of the hand ie., fingertips. It is therefore advised that the first thing you see after you wake up in the morning is your right hand palm.
14. When a person prays or performs a pooja for himself ie., for his benefit it is called as Suvartha Pooja.
15. Hindu Customs on visiting Temple
16. Never sleep in a room that is completely dark. There should be at least some light in the room.
17. You should never put out a burning lamp, camphor or incense sticks by blowing with your mouth.
18. You should never sleep with your head placed in the North Direction.
19. You should always begin a Hanuman Pooja on a day when the star is Moolam and you should offer pooja only in the mornings.
20. On Tuesdays and Fridays never give or lend Rice or other Food Grains.
21. Avoid buying dress materials, gold and property on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
    
22. In the pooja room do not place pictures of Gods along with pictures of departed souls like grandfathers, great grandfathers etc. You can place them in the pooja room on a different side. For eg., if Gods are placed facing east you can place the pictures of the deceased facing south or north etc., If you worship this way then the blessings you will receive will be several fold.

courtesy: by women world in hindu spirit