Upanayana

Upanayana, also called Upanayana samskara, is a Hindu rite of passage traditionally marking a boy’s entrance into formal Vedic study and the status of a dvija, or "twice-born." It is regarded as the first of the sixteen Hindu samskaras that accompany a person’s progress through life. The ceremony inaugurates the student phase (brahmacharya) and the beginning of formal instruction in the Vedas under a guru.

In practice, the rite centers on the giving of the sacred thread, or yajnopavita, and the initiation into spiritual disciplines. The initiate receives mantras from a qualified priest or guru, vows to study the Vedas and uphold celibacy during the brahmacharya period, and begins formal instruction in Sanskrit and Vedic rituals. The Gayatri mantra is commonly introduced as part of the learning process. Ritual details vary by region and tradition; some communities include purification rites or other customary practices.

Timing and demographics vary. Traditionally, Upanayana is performed for boys in many Hindu communities, typically in childhood or early adolescence (roughly ages 8 to 16). In some contemporary communities and reform movements, girls may undergo a similar rite, or alternate ceremonies may be observed; such practices are not universal and differ among regional and sectarian lines.

Significance and variations. The ceremony confers the status of dvija and inaugurates a path toward Vedic study and spiritual duties. While widely observed in many Brahmin communities, the exact customs, vows, and the role of the sacred thread differ among regions and sub-traditions, reflecting the diverse landscape of Hindu practice.