Upanayana, also known as janai or janea, poita, Yagnopavita, or Bratabandha, is one of the traditional saṃskāras that marked the acceptance of a student by a guru and an individual's entrance to a school in Hinduism. The tradition is widely discussed in ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism and varies regionally.

What is the meaning of Upanayanam?

By The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica | View Edit History. Upanayana, Hindu ritual of initiation, restricted to the three upper varnas, or social classes, that marks the male child's entrance upon the life of a student (brahmacharin) and his acceptance as a full member of his religious community.

What is the purpose of Upanayana?

Upanayana is the rite of passage for the start of formal education of writing, numbers, reading, Vedangas, arts and other skills. The Upanayana rite of passage was also important to the teacher, as the student would therefrom begin to live in the gurukula(school).