Upakarma
Upakarma (also known as Nool Hunnime or Nuglu Hunnime) is a Sanskrit word derived from two other words, Upa and Karma. Upa means "before" and Karma means an "action". Upakarma means an action performed before beginning the Vedic studies, which is changing of Yajnopaveet (Sacred thread).
Upakarma in Sanskrit also means the beginning, and it is beginning of study of Vedas. In ancient days study of Vedas and Upanishads was mandatory. One will get the eligibility to study Vedas and Upanishads only after getting properly inducted into Gayatri Mantra through a process of Upanayana (Munji). To commemorate this, even today, the day is observed as Upakarma by symbolically changing the Yajnopaveet and performing certain rituals that marks the beginning of study of Vedas.
We celebrate Yajur Upakarma on Shravana Shudha Poornima (Shravana masa, Shukla paksha Hunnime tithi). Normally this day coincides with the Raksha Bandhan festival.
History
As per the legend, Lord Vishnu gave four Vedas to Lord Brahma which got stolen from the later by two demons named Madhu and Kaitabha. To retrieve the Vedas from the demons, Lord Vishnu took form of a human with a head of a horse known as Hayagriva. He killed those demons and restored the four Vedas. As the Vedas were restored on this day, Upakarma is performed on this day to mark a new beginning.
(It is also a belief that Lord Vishnu created the two demons himself and asked them to steal the book when he saw a feeling of pride in Brahma after mastering the Vedas and Lord Vishnu wanted to curb the pride and return Lord Brahma to humility.)
Also in ancient days when proper transportation facilities were not available people used to stay for four months in a particular place during monsoon season. Since this period is not suitable for travelling, people used to resort to study of Vedas. And in ancient times, people used to study Vedas only for a period of six months in a year starting from this day (Shravana to Pushya). Hence, to begin study of Vedas they used to start with a ritual of changing the Yajnopaveet on this day.
Customs
On the occasion of Upakarma, men, who has undergone Upanayana, change Yajnopaveet and chant Gayatri Mantra. A sweet dish is prepared for Naivedya.
For first timers who are newly inducted into Upanayana, Upakarma is celebrated as a major function by inviting guests and performing Homa and Havana. Special meal is prepared with various festive dishes for the occasion.
