Upākarma - Yogic & Vedic Heritage FESTIVALS OF BHARATA

Upakarma is one of the most important parvas which is observed in the month of Srava?a. This is a very important parva which is observed all over India. The people of North India say-"Four very important parvas are observed in our country. They are sravani-Upakarma, dasahara (Navaratra, Vijayadasami, ) divali (dipavali) and Holi. Though these four are important for all, they are especially important to brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and sudras respectively".
Karmas are of three types. They are kamya, nitya and naimittika. Kamya karmas are the ones which are performed only if there is a desire for something; otherwise they need not be performed. Nitya karmas are obligatory deeds which have to be performed every day. And the Naimittika Karmas are the ones which should be performed compulsorily on some particular days which are significant because of the Tithi, star and the planetary position of the day etc.
Upakarma belongs to the third category. It is a parva karma which should performed every year on a particular day. It is a commendable auspicious karma related to the study of the vedas. Some Maharshis consider this as one of the eighteen Mahasamskaras.