Samavartana is a Hindu ceremony that marks the end of student hood and Brahmacharya. The student initially shuts himself up in a room for the entire morning on the occasion. This is done so the sun may not get insulted by the lustre of the learned student. Samavartana is also known as "Snana" ceremony. It signifies a person`s inclination to enter "Grihasthashram" (householder, married life).

Rituals of Samavartana
Samavartana ceremony of passage includes a traditional bath. During the midday, the child comes out and embraces his teacher"s feet. He pays his tribute to the Yajna by putting fuel to it. Eight vessels of water were kept that indicates the eight quarters of the earth. Thereafter the student draws out water from any one of the vessels. After the bath, the student casts off his entire outfit into water and puts on new clothes. He shaves off his beard, cuts his hair, nails and cleans his teeth. The bath symbolises that the student had practiced continence in food and speech. It also denotes as to how he would be preparing himself for a more active life. He bathes in fragrant water. The student in his new attire would proceed to the nearest assembly of the learned. Here, he is introduced as a capable scholar by his teacher. He is now eligible for entering into household life after doing a rightful marriage. He is called as `Vidyasnataka` that is one who has bathed in learning and `Vratasnataka` that is one who has bathed in vows.

Celebration of Samavartana
The student whose "Samavartana" is being conducted gives water to the King Acharya, uncle and maternal uncle for washing feet and then for washing mouth along with drinking. Honey or the ghee mixed with curd in a clean pot is offered. This is called `Madhuparka`. The time of "Samavartana" depends on the categories of Brahmacharya. On the day of the ceremony, the "Yajnakunda` is set up at the house of the Acharya as per the `Samanya prakarana`. The `Sthalipaka`, which is required for the ceremony is prepared earlier and also the ghee and pots, etc should be kept ready near `Yajnashala`.

The "Samavartana" ceremony continues with the Acharya taking his seat in the west and keeping his face eastward. Then he offers four "Agharavajyabhagahuti", four "Vyahriti Ahutis", four "Svistakrit", one "Prajapatyal" and eight "Ajahutis". Brahmachari then piles together the fire of the `Kunda` along with the prescribed mantra. Then he offers three sticks in the fire of the `Kunda` along with a mantra and touches his mouth, limbs as prescribed in `Vedarambha`.

As per the next step of "Samavartana" ceremony, the Brahmachari wears the garland and chants a mantra. Now they will continue with the other procedure of "Samavartana" ceremony, which includes `Madhuparka`, offering good garland, gift of clothes and cow to the Acharya if their financial condition permits. Now a day, "Samavartana" ceremony has been simplified a lot. It is performed either with the "Upanayana" or during the "Vivaah" in hurry. The ceremony occurred after conclusion of at least 12 years of school that is either about age 21 or later.