Kerala - Thrissur   

Preparations in full swing for Panjal Athirathram

— Photo: By Special Arrangement

Vedic rite: The ‘Kalnattal'' ceremony of the ‘Yagasala' for Athirathram held at Panjal on Sunday.

Thrissur: Preparations are in full swing for the Panjal Athirathram, to be held from April 4. Making of earthen and wooden utensils for the ‘yagam' is progressing fast, according to the organisers.

The training for rendition of mantras was being held at Panjal and Shukapuram under the guidance of Vedic scholars, they said.

The ‘Kalnattal' ceremony for the ‘Yagasala' was held here on Sunday. The flag mast brought by the priests from Nellikkattu Mana was laid at the ‘Yagabhoomi' near the Lakshmi Narayana Temple under the supervision of Vedic scholar Thaikkatt Vaidikan Kesavan Namboodiri.

Poothillathu Ramanujan Somayajippadu, who is the ‘Yajamanan' for the Athirathram; Kapra Sankaranarayanan Akkithiripad, ‘Yajamanan' of the previous Athirathram; Kaimukku Vaidikan Parameswaran Namboodiri; Nellikkattil Mamannu Neelakandan Namboodiri; Thottathil Krishnan Namboodiri; and Thottam Sivakaran Namboodiri were present on the occasion.

Athirathram organising committee chairman C. Unnikrishnan, convener Godasharman Namboodiri and executives of Varthathe Trust, which organises the event, and representatives of various organisations joined the large crowd gathered to participate in the auspicious ceremony.

A research wing has been formed to analyse the effect of Athirathram on nature, mankind, flora and fauna.

Scientists from countries such as the U.S., Japan, France and Germany as well as from various universities in the country have confirmed their participation in the Athirathram, according to the organisers.

Athirathram, a 3,000-year-old Vedic ritual, will be performed at the Panjal from April 4 to 14. It was last performed at the same village in 1975.

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