Upanayana literally means “the act of leading to or enlightenment or near the eye”. It is an important and widely discussed samskara in ancient Sanskrit texts.[2] The rite of passage symbolizes the leading or drawing towards the self of a child, in a school, by a teacher. It is a ceremony in which a guru (teacher) accepts and draws a child towards knowledge and initiates the second birth that is of the young mind and spirit.
Required Materials for the Pooja
| NAME | QUANTITY |
|---|---|
| Turmeric powder | 1/4 Lb |
| Kumkum | 1 Packet |
| Sandalwood Paste /Powder | 1 Packet |
| Incense Sticks (Agarbathi) | 1 Packet |
| Camphor | 1 Packet |
| Betel Leaves and Nuts | 10 +10 |
| Flowers | 2 Bunches of colorful roses, 2 packs of any of these (Jasmine/Arali/Lilly/Mullai/Marigolds/Lotus/button roses) |
| Mango Leaves | 1 Bunch |
| Garlands (Special) | 1 |
| Fruits | 12 Bananas and Other Fruits |
| Coconuts | 4 |
| Rice | 4 lbs |
| Kalasa Vastram | 1 Towel or 2 Yards fabric |
| Honey | 1 Small bottle |
| Ghee | 1 Lb |
| Coins (quarters) | 20 |
| Sugar | 1 Packet |
| Sugar Candy (Kalakanda ) | 1 Packet |
| New Dhoti | 2 ( 1 Pair ) |
| Dry Coconut (Whole ) | 1 |
| New Utensil (Small or Medium Size) | 1 |
| Jandhyam/Yagnopaveetham (Either Gold or Silver) | 3 Strands |
| Scissors | 1 |
For Telugu Sampradayam
- Jilakara/Bellam
For Tamil Sampradayam
- Paruppu Thenga
Other Puja Materials from Home:
- Deepam ( Lamp ), Oil, Match Box, Cotton Wicks
- Kalasam, Panchapatra and Uddhrini
- Small Trays 2 nos., Big Trays 2 nos., Small Cups 5 nos.
- Asirvada New Dresses, Blankets 2 Nos. (For Guest Seating )
- Paper Napkins and Paper Plates (sufficient quantities)