VEDA Temple, Redmond - Special Events

Upakarma 2026

Upakarma, also known as Avani Avittam is a significant ritual for atonement for non-pursuit of vedic studies and reaffirms commitment to pursue the same, with Vedarambham. This tradition holds great importance as it symbolizes the renewal of knowledge, spiritual growth, and connection with ancient Vedic wisdom, passed down through generations. There are various traditions followed by different vedic followers and the nirnaya vidhi is specified across multiple scriptures with primary and alternate options.

This year is a test to all those rules in terms of the cosmic circumstances prevailing in the Seattle area at this time. Shravana poornima is yajur upakarma. When dosha (like eclipse) prevails on this day(mukhya kala), Gouna kala (alternate) for Shukla Yajur Veda followers is bhadrapada shukla paksha panchami day. So Shukla Yajur upakarma will be on Tuesday September 15. It is not that simple for Krishna Yajur Veda followers.

Apastamba Sutra prescribes bhadrapada poornima and Bodhayana sutra prescribes aashadha poornima for Krishna Yajur Veda followers as gouna kala (alternate day) to do upakarma. This year, both the gouna kalams are affected by shukra modhyami and guru modhyami (doshas), for the Seattle area. If gouna kala have dosha, then scriptures mandate that krishna yajur vedis must do upakarma on mukhya kala itself, along with grahana shanthi. So, krishna yajur veda upakarma will be on Thursday, August 27, with shanthi homam and conclude before the Sutaka begins at 750am. Accordingly, you would find that the batches are scheduled for earlier time this year. As usual, we will provide online option for those who absolutely cannot make it in person but it is recommended you attend in person.

VEDA’s Panchanga team has consulted not only the various scriptures (seven different texts) but also panchanga siddhantis as well as vedic authorities who participate in Sadas to determine the dates for these situations, to validate the dates as given here. Our panchanga siddhanti, Pundit Mahesh Shastri, has provided a detailed writeup of the situation at https://drishyaganitpanchang.com/newsite/upakarma2026.php, if you are interested in the details.

VEDA invites all devotees to register for the event ahead so we can plan the event logistics for the expected audience. Registrants for online session can pick up their upakarma packets at the temple during temple hours after Sat, Aug 22. Please email us at templeoffice@vedatemple.org if you have any questions.

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Gayathri Homam - $108.00

Rg Upakarma - In Person - 7 Am - $31.00

Rg Upakarma - Online - 7 Am - $31.00

(Online) Yajur Upakarma - 5 Am - $31.00

(In Person) Yajur Upakarma - 5 Am - $31.00

(Online) Yajur Upakarma 630 Am - $31.00

(In Person) Yajur Upakarma 630 Am - $31.00