The Hindu rite traditionally marking a boy’s initiation into Vedic study is called Upanayana.
Upanayana is a samskara, or life-cycle rite, traditionally associated with initiation into religious education. A central symbol is the sacred thread, worn across the body after the ceremony. The initiate traditionally begins study with a teacher and receives instruction connected with the recitation of sacred texts, including the Gayatri mantra.
Historical texts prescribe different ages for Upanayana according to social category, and actual practice has varied widely by region, caste, family, and period. For that reason, there is no single universal age that accurately describes all Hindu communities.
The rite is often translated as “sacred-thread ceremony,” although the thread is one part of a larger initiation. Contemporary observance ranges from elaborate family ceremonies to communities where the practice is uncommon or has been substantially adapted.