Gayathri Japam is observed on the day after Shravana Pournami. This year, it falls on August 23. Brahmins in South India perform this ritual as part of the Upakarma and Avani Avittam ritual. This annual ritual involves the chanting of Gayathri Mantra. Yajur, Rig and Sama Vedi Brahmins perform this ritual on the same day. On the day, after the initial rituals, Gayathri Mantra is chanted for 1008 or 108 times. The sequence and the mode of performing the rituals depend on mutt (Math) affiliation.