The ceremony of Upanayanam marks the beginning of a new phase in a person’s life: the initiation of Vedic studies.
Upanayanam is one of the traditional samskaras, or ‘purification rites’, that are prescribed in the Vedic way of life. These samskaras, sixteen of which are considered as the main ones, mark the turning points, where we enter a new stage of our life. The samskaras are said to make us eligible for attaining the highest good, in two ways: by removing the impurities we have acquired, and bestowing beneficial qualities on us.
Upanayanam is a Sanskrit word, which literally means moving closer to higher knowledge, to the master. The ceremony of Upanayanam marks the beginning of a new phase in a person’s life: the initiation of Vedic studies. Sandhyavandanam consists of excerpts from the Vedas to be performed thrice daily at morning, at noon, and in the evening.
Pre-requisites:
- Anyone above the age of 8 years can attend the course, however, please see the subsequent information about children under 18 yrs of age and women.
- Children under 18 yrs of age can be enrolled in the course only if one or both parents are also attending the course.
- Parents who plan to enroll younger children are requested to use their discretion to make sure children can sit through the full course.
- Women who are on the first four days of the cycle, on the first day of the Upnayanam course, cannot attend the course. If the cycle starts on the second, third or fourth day of the course, they can continue the course.
- Those who have been initiated as a child may sign up as a new participant.
