Vedic Ritual
In 21 days on Wednesday - August 26, 2026
Rigveda Upakarma
Changing the Thread, Resuming the Veda
Shravana Nakshatra in the month of Shravan
Deity
The Vedic Rishis, Lord Vishnu, Gayatri Devi
Observance
Ritual
Duration
1 day
Observed
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Maharashtra
Pooja Muhurat in New Delhi
11:57 AM – 12:47 PM
While the nakshatra runs
Morning, on the day Shravana nakshatra prevails in Shravan month
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About This Day
Annual renewal of the sacred thread (Yajnopavita) by Rigveda scholars on Shravan Purnima.
Rigveda Upakarma is the annual day on which followers of the Rigveda change the sacred thread and formally recommence Vedic study. Upakarma means beginning, and the rite opens the six-month study period that closes with Utsarjana. Unlike Yajurveda Upakarma, which is tied to Shravana Purnima, the Rigveda observance is fixed to the day on which Shravana nakshatra prevails in the month of Shravan. The ceremony has three parts: prayaschitta for lapses in the year past, the changing of the yajnopavita, and the Rishi Tarpanam offered to the seers who preserved the Veda. It is followed the next day by Gayatri Japam, on which the Gayatri mantra is repeated a thousand times or more in expiation and renewal.
Rig UpakarmaRigvedi Avani AvittamRig Veda Upakarma
Regional Names
Kerala
Rigveda Upakarma
Karnataka
Rigveda Upakarma
Tamil Nadu
Rigveda Upakarma
Maharashtra
Rigveda Shravani
Andhra Pradesh
Rigveda Upakarma
Vrat Rules
The participant fasts from the morning until the change of thread and the tarpanam are complete, then takes a satvik meal.
Allowed
·satvik meal after the ceremony
·fruits
·milk
Avoided
·onion
·garlic
·non-vegetarian food
·alcohol
·food taken before the rites
Pooja Vidhi , Step by Step
1
Pre-dawn bath
Bathe before sunrise in a river or tank; wear a fresh unstitched veshti
2
Prayaschitta
Perform the expiatory rite for lapses in observance during the past year
3
Kamokarshit japa
Recite the prescribed expiatory mantras with the assembled group
4
Change the yajnopavita
Wear the new sacred thread with the prescribed mantras and discard the old one respectfully
5
Rishi Tarpanam
Offer water and sesame to the rishis of the Rigveda, naming each in turn
6
Veda Arambha
Formally recommence Vedic study by reciting the opening verses of the Rigveda
7
Homa and meal
Perform the homa where prescribed, then take a satvik meal with the family
Step-by-step pooja guidance with mantras.
Mantras
Yajnopavita Dharana Mantra
यज्ञोपवीतं परमं पवित्रं प्रजापतेर्यत्सहजं पुरस्तात्। आयुष्यमग्र्यं प्रतिमुञ्च शुभ्रं यज्ञोपवीतं बलमस्तु तेजः।।
Yajnopavitam Paramam Pavitram Prajapateryat Sahajam Purastat, Ayushyamagryam Pratimuncha Shubhram Yajnopavitam Balamastu Tejah · 1 chants
The sacred thread is supremely pure, born with Prajapati at the beginning. Grant long life and foremost strength — may this bright thread be power and radiance
Gayatri Mantra
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि। धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्।।
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat · 1008 chants
We meditate upon the adorable radiance of the divine Savitr. May it inspire our understanding
Rishi Tarpanam
ॐ ऋषिभ्यः स्वधा नमः
Om Rishibhyah Swadha Namah · 3 chants
Salutations and offering to the seers who preserved the Veda
Pooja Essentials
Pooja Items
New yajnopavita (sacred thread)Darbha grassBlack sesameWater vesselTurmericFresh veshtiGhee lampRiceSandal paste
Flowers
White flowersTulsiDurva grassJasmine
Prasad
PayasamCooked riceFruitsCoconutSesame rice
Do
·Bathe before sunrise and wear a fresh unstitched cloth
·Perform the prayaschitta before changing the thread
·Offer Rishi Tarpanam naming each seer
·Recite the opening verses of the Rigveda
·Perform Gayatri Japam the following day
Avoid
·Do not change the sacred thread without the prescribed mantras
·Do not discard the old thread carelessly
·Avoid non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic and alcohol
·Do not eat before the rites are complete
·Do not treat the day as a formality — the study resumption is the point
Remedies
·Recite the Gayatri mantra 1008 times on the following day
·Discard the old sacred thread respectfully — never in a bin
·Resume or begin a regular practice of Vedic recitation
·Support a Vedic pathshala or a student of the Veda
·Give dakshina to the officiating priest without reluctance
Daan (Donations)
New sacred threadsRice and grainClothDakshina to priestsSupport for Vedic education
Rigveda Upakarma
Changing the Thread, Resuming the Veda
#RigvedaUpakarma#Upakarma#Yajnopavita#Gayatri#DailyPanchang
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