Kerala Yajna

(1) RITUAL CONTEMPLATION 

A golden opportunity presented itself to visit a few people associated with the Athirathram yajna that was performed last in the year 2011. Bali, on his way to Kerala for personal work, agreed to help me. Having dug out the old papers, blogs and newspaper articles published at that time, I found details about a few key people, both scientifically and religiously associated with performing the yajna at Panjal in Thrissur district1, Kerala. With a little more research, I got their contact numbers and mail ids. Communication ensued and appointments were fixed.

D-day found me travelling towards Cochin/Kochi in December 2019. My first meeting was with Dr Prof VPN Nampoori, alias Namboodiri, who was the main person in charge of conducting scientific experiments at the yajna. He obliged with good grace and fixing a convenient time, I met him at the International School of Photonics2, where he was director, Cochin University of Science and Technology at Kochi.

What do the ancient scriptures say about the Athirathram yajna?

ATHIRATHRAM YAJNA

This yajna has a 5,000-year-old history. It is conducted by Namboodiri priests from Kerala state. The yajna is said to be done for accumulating enormous environmental benefits. A magnificent and a detailed ritual, it adheres to a strict ascetic tradition. It is a complex fire ceremony performed by one chief priest and 17 assistants called rithviks, who have an in-depth and precise knowledge of all Rig, Yajur and Sama vedic hymns.

The ritual is done with the primary intention of purifying the atmosphere and the panchamahabhutas in it, thus restoring the natural balance of the environment. It creates a positive effect in the assembly of people who view the process. The items used are presented in various shaped vessels made from wood or clay. The main altar or fireplace is in the shape of a bird3. All the ingredients essential for the 12-day ritual are kept ready in advance to offer at the fire altar……………