Mumbai : Yajur Upakarma is on August 3 all over India and the sacred thread called “Poonal” is changed by Brahmins at that day .
Poonal is not just scared but also completely upholds the Covid 19 buzz word “Atmanirbhar (self-reliant)’. These scared threads called “poonal” in Tamil , Janav in Maharashtra are woven by different priest of different temples in different manner. However this scared threads has become “atmanirbhar” as far as the Sri Sankara Mattham, Matunga in Mumbai, is concerned since it is woven here itself in 75-year-old and 50-year old antique charkas owned by Sri Shankara Mattham, Matunga, and woven by its head priest Ganesha Sashtrigal. Using the lockdown time and with no visitors to the temple and no religious functions, the head priest has not only woven the thread to be given to his Brahmin customers but also the threads that are tied around on the brass Khumbh (pot) used for idols’s Abhishek in the sanctum Sanctorum, a ritual followed strictly by every South Indian temples during their Pooja. Besides he also creates wicks for all lamps in the temple. The 50 year old Charka was brought by the Ganesha Shastrigal, from Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, from when he came to the Mattham for employment 50 years ago. He said his father was using this before.
This sacred thread assumes huge importance during “Upakarma’ also called Avani Avittam which is a yearly ritual for Brahmin males when they change their Poonal. This auspicious day coincides with Rakhi day that falls on Poornima Day of Shravan month. The main purpose of the Upakarma ritual is to offer prayers and express the gratitude to those Rishis who gave the knowledge of Vedas and revealed Vedic Mantras to the mankind. People who are followers of Yajur Veda do it on August 3 and the followers of Sama and Rig Vedas on different days depending on Nakshatras.
