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Janeu or Janou is a sacred thread worn by all Hindu Brahmins to mark the transition of a young male's life-from being a child to a young boy to becoming a man. Brahmins mark this transition with the "Upanayanam Samskara" (the sacred thread ceremony) and is usually performed between the ages of seven and fourteen. If, for some reason, it has not been done during this age period, then it needs to be completed before he gets married. This ceremony is a very ancient one. So long the boy doesnot wear the janeo or the sacred thread, he could not be reckoned among the "Dvija" (twice born).

The janeo thread is not only worn by the brahmins but also by Kshatriyas and by Vaishyas. If a Brahmin wishes to become learned in the Vedas, he should wear the janeo at the age of 5 years; if a Kshatriya wishes to gain strength, he should wear the thread at 6, and for a Vaishya, if he wishes for success, he should wear the Janeu at the age of 8.

Janeu Thread Material
This sacred thread of the Brahmins is made of cotton, that of a Kshatriya of hempen threads and that of a Vaisya of woollen threads.

Form of the Janeu
The form of the Janeu is different for different caste groups or sects. These forms are as follows :

Brahmgandh : With 5 knots for the higher grades of Brahmins and 3 knots for the lower grades Brahmin
Vishnugandh : The thread is with one knot for all other castes.

Meaning of the Three Strands of the Janeu
The janeu thread used by the Brahmins consists of three strands. There are various interpretations of the three strands of the janeo. These are as follows :

The three strands symbolizes the Hindu trinity-Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
Some symbolizes with Mahasarasvati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali.
Some interpret with past, present and the future.
The three qualities-sattva, rajas and tamas.
The three states-wakefulness, dream and deep sleep.
The three dimensions-Heaven (swarga), Earth (mrityuloka) and nether regions (pataloka).
The most important of all is-ida, pingala and susumna nadi, through which the kundalini energy manifests as prana and consciousness.

Different Methods of Wearing the Thread
There are different methods of wearing the Sacred Thread at different occasions. For example :

While performing an auspicious ceremony one should be Upaviti that is, the Sacred Thread should hang from his left shoulder.
While performing an inauspicious ceremony one should be Prachnaviti, that is, the Sacred Thread should hang from the right shoulder.
At times he is called Niviti when the Sacred Thread is worn round the neck like a garland.
The thread should be lifted and the upper part should be put behind ears when a person goes for his daily ablutions or doing impure tasks.
Both males and females can wear the thread. However, the woman should wear it on the neck. Otherwise, she may wrap it on a naariyal (brown coconut), and place it in worship place.
After a birth or death in the family, it should be taken out and then a new thread should be worn 15 days after the event.
Old, or broken thread should be replaced etc.

Bhadrapad Shukl Chaturdashi or Anant Chaturdashi, is an auspicious day. This day is a day with twin significance. It is the last day of the Ganesh festival, which begins with Ganesh Chaturthi. Chaturdashi is the tenth day after Ganesh Chaturthi and it is the day when the idols of Ganesha are immersed in water. On this day, a sacred thread called the Anant Chaudas Thread is worn as armlet or round the neck by both males and females. Some prefer to tie the thread at the main entrance door of their homes. The significance of this thread is that Lord Ganesh should bless everyone with health, happiness and prosperity while leaving the house and take away all miseries and sorrows of people. Anant means endless, infinite. The thread awards infinite happiness, by blessings of Lord Vishnu and Lord Ganesha.

Mouli or Kalawa is a cotton red thread roll, considered to be very sacred and used in all religious purposes of the Hindus. The thread is used as an offering of cloth to the deity. The Mouli thread is an integral part of any puja. Normally the Mouli is tied around the Sadhana article, that is, Mouli is tied around a copper tumbler filled with water. On its mouth is placed five mango leaves and a coconut in a red cloth is place it over the mouth of the tumbler. This represents the shrine you are offering puja. Next, before the start of the puja, the red sacred thread is tied around the wrist of the members of the family. As a rule, all males and married females wear it on the right hand. Unmarried females wear it on their left hands. Only the Brahmin females, both married and unmarried can wear it in their right hands. The basic significance of wearing this thread is to get blessings from God.

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Religious Threads

Janeu/Janou Thread

Anant Chaudas Thread

Sacred Red Thread/Mauli/Kalawa