Initiation of young boys into the rituals of '
Brahmacharya' (disciplined and controlled living) is a special event for some communities living in India. The occasion of a boy leaving home for education is called Upanayanam (the half-marriage). With the performance of the Upanayanam, he becomes 'twice-born' or dvija. According to custom, Upanayanam of a Brahmin is conducted during the spring, Kshatriya in the summer, and Vaishya in the autumn. The Upanayanam for a brahmin should be conducted when the child is eight years old, for Kshatriya it will be at the age of 11, and Vaishya at the age of 12.
