janeu thread ceremony

Brahmins celebrate the growing up and development of a boy through “Upanayanam Samskara” (sacred thread ceremony). The ceremony is generally observed between the ages of seven and fourteen. In case the ceremony could not take place due to any reason all through this age period, then it is required to be done before the marriage. The purpose of thread ceremony is to prepare a young man to share the responsibilities of elders. The thread is worn by the man in the company of a group chant of ‘Gayatri’ mantra. The thread is twisted in upward direction to make certain that ‘Sattwaguna’ (good quality of truth) prevails. The ceremony also suggests that the wearer of ‘Janeu’ can participate in the family rituals from then onwards.

Brahmins use ‘Janeu’ thread with three strands. These three strands of ‘Janeo’ have been studied many a times and different personalities gave several opinions regarding this tradition. To some people, the three strands stand for the Hindu Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Others interpreted it as symbolical of Mahasarasvati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali.

How to wear a Janeu on different occasions.

Janeu is a not an ordinary thread, its sanctity is regarded to get disturbed if it is not worn properly. Here are given different methods to wear Janeu at different occasions.

  • To attend or perform any auspicious ceremony, one should wear ‘janeu’ hanging from the left shoulder (Upaviti).
  • For attending or performing inauspicious event, one should wear ‘janeu’ hanging from the right shoulder (Prachnaviti).
  • In case the person wears ‘janeu’ round the neck like a garland, then, he is called as ‘Niviti’.
  • While going for daily ablutions or doing impure tasks, the holy thread must be raised and its upper part ought to be put behind ear.
  • Males and females both can wear ‘janeu’, yet females should wear it around the neck.
  • Following a birth or death in the family, ‘janeu’ should be removed and again a new thread ought to be worn after 15 days of event.
  • One must replace the old or broken thread with a new thread.

Nowadays Khsatriyas and Vashyas too wear Janeus.