11. Upanayana
The sacred thread — going to the teacher
Upanayana means “leading near” — the child is led to the teacher to begin Vedic study. The child receives the sacred thread (yajñopavīta, janeu, pūṇūl) and is taught the Gāyatrī mantra.
The texts give different ages for different communities, commonly 8, 11 and 12; today it is often done between about 7 and 16, or just before marriage. It is explained in depth in its own section below.
About 7–16 today · Janeu / Pūṇūl