This year Yajur Vedi Upakarma Avani Avittam is on August 24 and Rig Vedi Upakarma and Avani Avittam is on August 23, 2010.

Avani Avittam is an important ritual which is associated with the Brahmin community in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The day is of great significance especially to Yajur Vedi Brahmins. On the very next day, Gayatri Japa Sankalmpam is observed.

Avani Avittam is an ancient and important ritual performed by the Smarta and Vaishnava Brahmin community in the South Indian states (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala) and in some parts of Orissa and Maharashtra, on the day of Shravan Poornima. The day is of great significance to Yajur Vedi Brahmins. On the next day, Gayatri Japam is performed. This ritual is called as Avani Avittam in Tamil Nadu, and as Yajur Upakarma in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Upakarma or Avani Avittam means beginning or “Arambham”, i.e., to begin the Veda Adhyayanam. For example, Yajur Upakarma means to begin the study of the Yajur Veda. This auspicious day is also the day when Lord Narayana took the avatara as Lord Hayagriva. Lord Hayagriva restored the Vedas to Brahma and also is the God of Knowledge.