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Avani Avittam at Ayodhya Mandapam goes hi-tech

A few Brahmins have resorted to the use of internet and smartphones too.

Chennai: Avani Avittam, an important ritual associated with the Brahmins, marking the changing of the sacred threads, annually, appears to go high tech. From relying on tabs for the e-text format to chanting the mantras to performing the ceremony with precision using downloaded version, a few Brahmins have resorted to the use of internet and smartphones too.

The male members of the community changed their sacred threads (poonul) on this auspicious day, which falls on the Tamil month of Avani. Avittam is one of the 27 nakshatras or stars. The event also marks the beginning of the study of Vedas. It is believed that it was on Avani Avittam that Lord Vishnu, who incarnated as Lord Hayagriva, restored the Vedas stolen by the asuras to Lord Brahma.

At Ayodhya Mandampam, in the city, a large number of Brahmins, across varying ages, had participated in the mass sacred threads wearing ceremony. Those who could not make it to the temples performed the ritual at homes. Usually, the rituals are done at home under the guidance of elders well versed in the procedure. But, those who could not engage a vathiyar (teacher) or make it to the temple or follow the time schedule had to rely on downloaded versions.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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