In Panjal, 30 Kms. away from Trichur in Keralam, on April 24, 1975, almost 4000 years oldYajna Athirathram was completed to invoke rains in the area. Thousands of Veda enthusiasts and devotees watched in astonishment the moonlit skies turning pitch-dark with clouds and a heavy downpour over the area drenching the Yajnasala marking successful culmination of the sacrosanct ritual. When the entire Yajna-Kunda was set on fire as the last ritual, a hugeGaruda i.e. eagle was seen flying over the area. Spectators applauded in joy and wonder beholding Veda-s practical miracles coming alive before them. Reasearchers of Athirathramsay that rain is caused by the strong convection currents generated by the smoke billowing from the Yajnasala and incessant recitation of Vedic Sukta-s. Main rituals are performed in aSaianacithi i.e. alter constructed with 1,005 specially baked bricks and laid out in five layers in the shape of Garuda in flight.
Panjal village is one of the key centres of Vedic knowledge as it is home to some of the most erudite Samavedi-s and Rgvedi-s who learn, teach, practise Veda-s and preserved the traditions alive all these years.
Athirathram is also known as Agnicayan because all sacrifices are dedicated unto the holy Agni. All Vedic rituals are dedicated unto Agni as Agni is the divine messenger / intermediary between man and celestial Deva-s, receivers of the oblations into Agni.
It is conducted by erudite ones holding following designations –
Yajaman and Yajaman-Patni on whose behalf the Yajna is undertaken. The Yajna cannot be undertaken by just one of them.
Adhvaryu is the expert in Yajura Veda, central figure to conduct the Yajna.
Hota is the expert in Rg Veda, required for recitation of invocatory Sloka-s from Rg Veda.
Udgata is the expert in Sama Veda who sings Saman chants for Som sacrifices.
Brahma i.e. Brahmana, expert in Atharva Veda, he is the overseer of the entire Yajna.
In addition to the above, there are Prastota, Pratihartha, Subramanya, Brchmanacchamsin,Maitravaruna, Pota, Nesta, Acchavaka, Agnidhara, Gravastut, Pratiprastota, Unneta andSadasya.
Athirathram is the longest and oldest surviving ritual of mankind spanning 12 days, conducted by 17 Namboodiri Brahmana Pujari-s i.e. Ritvik-s after months of reheasals and preparations.
The ritual at Panjal was instigated by one Dr. Frits Staal of the University of California and some other professors of the University of Helsinki. Panjal has hosted some 10 Athirathram-s in the past 100 years. More recent ones were conducted successfully at Keesaragutta in Rangareddy Distt. of AP on April 13-24, 2013 and in Bhadrachalam of Khammam Distt. of AP on April 21-May 2, 2012.
Ramakant Tiwari
