Upanayanam or the thread ceremony is the one of the most important times in a Brahmin's
lifetime. It is performed to mark the beginning of studenthood for a Brahmin. It also
deems the bachelor as eligible to study the vedas. In the ancient days the father taught his
son the Gayatri Mantra, and then left him with a Guru, under his care and tutelage. The Guru
taught him the Vedas (i.e.taught him to chant them in the traditional way) which in turn
ultimately took him near God.

It is believed in hinduism that the life passes through four stages or ashramas.
* brahmacharin, or celibate student
* grihastha/grihini, or householder
* vanaprastha, or stage of retirement from society (traditionally into the forest)
* sannyasin, or renunciant who breaks all social ties

It is to mark the entry to the first stage that the Upanayanam is celebrated. During
the ceremony the boy is given the sacred thread comprising of three strands. These are
worn by the boy throughout his life. It is worn like a sash across the left shoulder
to the right hip. Before the boy is given the sacred thread, the boy is taught the
Gayatri mantra. Then everyday it is the custom for the boy to recite the mantra 1001 times.
Ofcourse nowadays, no one follows the tradition though every brahmin boy is given the
Upanayanam ceremony.