‘Upanayana’ is one of 16 major samskaras and a significant milestone for your child. The ancient Apasthamba Sutra describes upanayana as a samskara or a purificatory rite that is performed to impart the sacred Gayatri mantra before the child is taken to the teacher for learning the Vedas.
This Vedic ceremony has two important aspects:
We welcome you to perform your child’s Upanayana ceremony at Adi Sankara Nilayam – the very ancestral maternal birth home where Bhagavan Adi Sankaracharya was initiated into Vidyarambha and Upanayana.
Gurudev Shrine – The Upanayana ceremonies can be conducted in Gurudev Shrine. This sacred shrine is a befitting tribute to Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, a legend, a luminary and a sage who tirelessly carried the light of Sanatana Dharma. The shrine is in the temple complex and is used as a meditation hall as well as a facility for paduka puja, vidyarambha and upanayana functions and other private prayers.
Thekkini – Melpazhur Mana: The Upanayanam can be conducted at the south portion of the Melpazhur Mana, the maternal birth home of Sri Adi Shankaracharya. This pious venue hosts many Pujas during various festive occasions throughout the year. The beautiful Mana stands to your right as soon as you enter the CIF premises and is an apt venue to host an Upanayana ceremony.
Both venues are subject to availability which will have to be confirmed by CIF Management.
Kitchen and dining facilities: The family can avail the facilities of the Annakshetra at CIF. If requested, a separate kitchen and dining hall will be made available to facilitate any special needs. In such a case, the family is suggested to arrange for their own catering services.
Donation: Following is the donation for Upanayana ceremony to be conducted at Adi Sankara Nilayam. The donation is to be offered to Chinmaya International Foundation one month in advance.
| For residents of India & other SAARC countries |
For residents of other countries | |
|---|---|---|
| Donation | ₹ 50,000 | US$ 1250 |
| Accommodation provided | 2 rooms | 4 rooms |
| Donation for additional guests (per person per day) |
AC room – ₹ 1,000 | US$ 25 |
| Non-AC room – ₹ 700 | US$ 18 |
This donation covers the venue, the use of the kitchen facility and accommodation for the Upanayana Yajaman’s family for two days.
Priests, Nadaswaram, decoration and other requirements for the function are to be arranged by the family. If required, the CIF team will help to co-ordinate the arrangements.
For further queries, Contact at +919207711136 / +919207711137 and email camp.coordinator@chinfo.org/ welcometocif@chinfo.org
The ceremony can be held either at the Gurudev Shrine or the Thekkini (Melpazhur Mana), depending on availability confirmed by CIF Management.
Yes. Families may use the Annakshetra facilities. A separate kitchen and dining hall can also be arranged, and families may bring their own catering if they prefer.
The donation should be offered to Chinmaya International Foundation one month in advance to confirm arrangements for the ceremony.
Ideally we suggest that the interested family brings a priest known to them. But in case this is not possible we can connect you with a priest to perform the ceremony as per request.
A separate kitchen and dining hall can be made available to accommodate the needs as per request. Alternatively, CIF kitchen staff can prepare sattvic vegetarian meals as per request. This will be at an additional cost as per actuals.
Yes, additional accommodation can be arranged on twin sharing basis, given prior notice on the numbers expected. The donation (for residents of Indian subcontinent) for the same is ₹750 and ₹1000 (US$18 and US$25 for others) for Non-AC and AC accommodation respectively per person per day.
Yes, CIF can connect you with a good flower decoration person to get the needful done.
Yes. CIF can arrange for a live streaming of your loved ones’ Upanayanam at an added cost. We would require access to a YouTube channel of someone in the family to be able to stream it.
