The full moon of Shravana is Noola Hunnime, "thread full moon", in Karnataka. Its old observance is Upakarma: those who wear the sacred thread gather at a river, tank or temple, make offerings to the sages, and put on a new one. In the north of the state weavers worship their looms and yarn. Raksha Bandhan, the tying of the rakhi by sisters, has been added in the towns.
The story
Upakarma renews the vow of Vedic study each year. The Gayatri is recited a thousand and eight times the next morning.
On the coast the day ends the worst of the monsoon. Fishermen offer milk and coconuts to the sea, the Samudra Puja, before the boats go out again.
How it is kept
- UpakarmaThe change of the yajnopavita, by Rig, Yajur or Sama tradition, each on its own day.
- RakhiSisters tie the thread on their brothers.
- Samudra PujaOfferings to the sea in the coastal districts.
- SweetsHolige, payasa and chigali.
Why this date
Noola Hunnime is the full-moon tithi of Shravana, on the day it is present at sunrise. Yajur Upakarma is done on this day; Rig Upakarma follows the star Shravana and can fall a day earlier.
Noola Hunnime in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday | |
| 2027 | Tuesday | |
| 2028 | Saturday | |
| 2029 | Friday | |
| 2030 | Tuesday | |
| 2031 | Sunday |
More Kannada festivals
13 AugustVaramahalakshmi Vrataವರಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ವ್ರತ
24 AugustSri Krishna Janmashtamiಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಜನ್ಮಾಷ್ಟಮಿ
18 JulyGuru Purnimaಗುರು ಪೂರ್ಣಿಮೆ
4 SeptemberGowri Ganesha Habbaಗೌರಿ ಗಣೇಶ ಹಬ್ಬ
14 JulyPrathama Ekadashiಪ್ರಥಮ ಏಕಾದಶಿ
7 OctoberDurgashtamiದುರ್ಗಾಷ್ಟಮಿ
Where to see Noola Hunnime
In Karnataka
- GokarnaKarnatakaUpakarma by the sea, at one of the oldest centres of Vedic learning.
- SringeriKarnatakaPerformed on the bank of the Tunga.
- Malpe, UdupiKarnatakaThe fishing harbour, with the offering to the sea.
Across India
- MumbaiMaharashtraNarali Purnima among the fishing villages.
- AmarnathJammu and KashmirThe pilgrimage to the ice linga ends today.
- PuriOdishaGamha Purnima, the birthday of Balabhadra.