Yagnopavit Sanskar, also known as Upanayanam, is one of the most important samskaras in Hindu tradition. It marks the formal initiation of a young boy (and in some traditions, girls) into the path of learning, spirituality, and Vedic studies. During the ceremony, the child is adorned with the sacred thread (yajnopavita) and taught the Gayatri Mantra for the first time.

This rite of passage symbolizes the transition from childhood into disciplined spiritual and educational life. It is traditionally performed between the ages of 8 to 16 and signifies readiness to take on dharmic responsibilities.

The ceremony involves purificatory rituals, chanting of mantras, fire rituals (havan), and blessings from parents, gurus, and elders to guide the child toward a righteous life.