Athirathram is a Vedic yajna and is one of the world’s
oldest surviving rituals. An Athirathram in Pakazhiyam Sambradayam or System
will be held from March 23 for 12 days at Mattathur Kunnu Kaimukku Mana at
Kodakara in Thrissur in Kerala. The Athirathram is being performed for the
welfare of all living beings. The Yajamana of the yajna is Kaimukku Vaidikan
Raman Somajipad.
Athirathram of a different sampradayam was held in April
2011 in Kerala and this was highly successful.
This yagam based on Asvalayana Bodhayana Samyukta Pakazhiyam
system and is taking place after 112 years. The Yajna is being conducted by the
Tretagni Foundation.
Athirathram of a different sampradayam was held in April
2011 in Kerala and this was highly successful.
What is Athirathram?
Vedic Yajna (Yajgya or sacrifice or ritual) is performed for the prosperity of human race through peaceful co-existence with nature by energizing the various forces in nature – especially sun. Agni, fire, that represents Sun, the Prathyaksha Brahman or Visible God, in Sanatana Dharma, is worshipped during the Yajna. This vedic ritual is known as Athirathram and is one of the world’s oldest surviving ritual.
During the Athirathram, the Vedic rituals and yajnas
performed during the period of the Vedic age will be recreated. For 12 days,
one will be transported to the era of the Vedas and Upanishads. Today, the
knowledge of Athirathram is only preserved by select Namboothiri (Brahmin)
families in Kerala.
Athirathram invokes the abundance of the Universe through
the recital of the all Vedas over 12 days. It is very rarely performed and is
an opportunity to learn about how yajnas were conducted during the Vedic
period.
Athirathram in Pakazhiyam Sambradayam
Where - Mattathur Kunnu Kaimukku Mana at Kodakara in
Thrissur in Kerala
Date - From March 23 to April 3, 2012