Avani Avittam Special Recipes-Avani Avittam Menu-Upakarma

Avani Avittam is an important ritual associated with the Brahmin community. Upakarma means beginning or “Arambham “i.e. to begin the study of the Veda also called “Avani Avittam” in Tamil is a Vedic ritual practiced by Hindus of the Brahmin caste. For example, Yajur Upakarma means to begin the study of the Yajur Veda. Those belonging to the Yajur Veda observe the Upakarma in the month of Sravana (August-September), on the day of the full moon (paurnami). Why begin study of the Vedas on this particular day? This auspicious day also happens to be the day when Lord Narayana took the avatara as Lord Hayagriva. Lord Hayagriva as we all know restored the Vedas to Brahma and also is the God of Knowledge.

On the Avani Avittam day, Brahmins after a holy dip, change the sacred thread and wear a new holy thread. This ritual is known as Upakarma.The sacred thread is referred as ‘Poonool,’ ‘Yajnopavita’ or ‘Janeyu.’ The ritual also symbolizes the permission to study the Vedas.

References – Wikipedia, www.ramanuja.org, www.hindu-blog.com

I have compiled the Avani Avittam Special recipes below- (All festival cooking is done without onion and garlic)

Idli

Ulundu Vadai

Poli ( Puran poli)

Chutney

Sweet Appam

Rice

Paruppu

Mor Kuzhambu

Rasam

Pumpkin kootu

Vazhaikkai curry

Thayir Pachadi

Payatham Paruppu Payasam

Aval Payasam

Appalam

Curd

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