In the past, in Bharat Varsha (India), the 'yagneopavit' (thread ceremony) was performed by the people belonging to the three castes - Brahmins, i.e. teachers, professors, ministers and the learned people; Kshatriyas, i.e. people of martial class and rulers; and Vaishyas, i.e. people dealing wi.th agriculture and commerce -  for their children.

A typical Yagneopavit ceremony

It involved performance of a great yagna, in which all the Degas were invited by suitable incantations to bless the children during the course of their initiation to the most sacred mantra - Gayatri mantra - by the Kula Guru (family priest). The Gayatri is symbolized by the three folds of the sacred thread of a fixed length, sanctified by proper incantation, which is worn by the boy on his initiation.

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Upanayana or Yugnopavit

Upanayana is one of the most important SAMASKARAS (symbolic events) in the life of the child. In the ancient times a child was initiated into the pursuit of secular knowledge (like astronomy, mathematics, metaphysics, logic, medicine and other vedic literature) as well as into the realm of spiritual development by putting him on the task of learning and practicing .... >>>

Significance of the Yagneopavit Ceremony

In the past, in Bharat Varsha (India), the 'yagneopavit' (thread ceremony) was performed by the people belonging to the three castes - Brahmins, i.e. teachers, professors, ministers and the learned people; Kshatriyas, i.e. people of martial class and rulers; and Vaishyas, i.e. people dealing with agriculture and commerce - for their children. >>>

Samsakaara of Upanayanam/ YajnyoPaveetam/ MekhalAa

The title above contains two words, the SamskAra and YajnyoPavEtam. We will take each wordand understand its meaning and the significance for us. However, before we do that it will add togo through a digression on some of the elementary understanding of Indian cosmogony vis-à-vis individual living being. >>>

Additional Comments

The upanayana ceremony was conducted for both sexes in ancient India. Naturally there are similar ceremonies in other countries and cultures. The word for Christians is CONFIRMATION. This is one of the 'sacraments'. The sacrament is a deformed version of SAMASKARA. The jews tie a thread of several strands, others tie on their waist, etc. >>>