The moment arrived on Monday when the holy fire ‘threthagni’ was taken to the first ‘homakunda’ in the yagnashala for Athirathram at Panjal, near Thrissur. The fire was brought from the house of the yajamanan (chief priest), Poothillathu Ramanujan Somayajippadu.
On a bright day with seething multitudes, it was hymns and chants that filled the air around for Athirathram, seen as the longest and oldest surviving ritual that has a history dating back to 10th Century BC.
The three homakundas built in strict accordance with measurements prescribed in the sacred texts, were lit with sacred fire made by rubbing two wooden sticks in the ritual known as arani kadayal. The main homakunda has been made in the shape of a bird. The other highlight of the day was the selection of 17 upa purohitar (helpers to the chief priest) from among the three Namboodiri families who are exponents of the vedas.
Several offerings are made during the ritual that goes on up to 12 days to Agni, the sacred fire. Among the offerings include soma rasa, the nectar extracted from the herb somalatha. This herb was brought to the venue from the medicinal garden of the former Kollamgode royal family.
The rituals will be held under the supervision of Brahamasree Cherumuk Vaidikan Poothillath Ravi Akkithiripad and led by Puthillathu Ramanujan Somayajippadu, who has acquired the right to perform Athirathram by performing Soma Yaga earlier.
ECLECTIC GROUP RUNS THE CEREMONY
The warmth of a sermon by fire has bonded a small group of bankers, entrepreneurs and professionals from both within and outside the country. It’s a passion for the tradition which has its roots in 10th Century BC. They are trustees of Varthathe Trust which is organising the Athirathram.
“By organising this, the trust aims at spreading the message of world peace and amity across the world. More than just conducting a vedic event, it is about the passing the age-old tradition to the new generation,” said Mr Sudish N Pillai, an entrepreneur-trustee.
From the bricks to the fire, the vedic scholars and large crowds expected to descend on Panjal, preparations have been on for the last few months. And this mixed bag of organisers roughly estimates the expenses to be around Rs.10 crore.
The ritual attracting global attention has drawn scientists, scholars and enthusiasts to Panjal. Scientists and those participating in the ritual believe that geography and vasthu favour the place drawing the sun’s energy.The chanting of the mantras and the linguistics has attracted scientists and linguists.
Mr Finn Moore, a professor from Havard University and rock-and-roll enthusiast, sees music in the chanting of the mantras. The voice modulations in a measurement can match musical notations.
