“Our aim is to familiarise the common man with ancient Indian scientific and philosophical knowledge.People in the Vedic era used this wisdom to attain unity, peace and prosperity with no distinctions of caste,creed,colour,community,gender or religion,”says Sivakaran Namboodiri,who participated in the 1975 ritual and who is a key member of the trust(varthathe).
Namboodiri, who is an ayurvedic doctor says, “Athirathram is relevant in today’s discontent, violent and strife-torn world. There’s an urgent need to promote universal harmony, peace, solidarity, prosperity and spiritual enlightenment.”
Explaining the significance of the fire ritual, Namboodiri says, “The Sun is the main source of energy, and fire represents Sun’s energy. According to ancient texts on the yagna, any offering to fire as a god, is actually an offering to the Sun. Such offerings cleanse the environment of all negative energies and protect it too. Ascribing divine attributes to these rituals induces people to practice them. Our scriptures proclaim that such vaidika karmams are result-oriented, and are meant to lead to sreyass or spiritual attainment.”
Each day, the rituals vary. The major offerings to the sacrificial fire are somarasa, the juice of somalatha, a herbal plant plus dozens of other herbs. The fire is created by rubbing two pieces of wood, as detailed in ancient Vedic scriptures. No modern prop is used.
Performing the Athirathram ritual is not for the fainthearted. Namboodiri says, “For one, only those who have performed the somayaga can perform the Athirathram. The one who leads the ritual is called the yajaman or leader. The yajaman — whose wife is an equal participant in the ritual — must observe strict austerities both before and after the yagna. Apart from the yajaman, about a dozen vedic scholars and experts, too, participate. Chanting of mantras by them with accurate intonation is a significant aspect of the ritual.”
Somayaga, also known as Agnisthomam, is a six-day ritual for the welfare of all and is meant to maintain equilibrium in the environment. Like Athirathram, Somayagam is also a fire ritual performed in a brick-lined fireplace.
“Preparations for the Panjal Athirathram 2011 began after obtaining consent from Lord Dakshinamurthy of the Shukapuram Temple. We sought the deity’s blessings by reciting slokas and prayers,” says Namboodiri.
The Yajurveda and Samaveda practices that precede Athirathram have already begun at Panjal. Traditional craftsmen are busy making the innumerable clay and wooden utensils that will be utilised during the ritual.
The choice of the venue is also in accordance with geographic and vaastu principles. Namboodiri says, “The yagnashala or the spot of the yagna is uniquely positioned to imbibe the sun’s energy — the primary reason why Panjal is the chosen venue for almost all key yagnas held in Kerala in the past.”
Once the yagna is over, the yajaman has to take home some burning embers from the sacred fire and feed it as long as he lives. After the yagna, the yajaman is conferred a title — Agnisthomam or the basic Somayagam makes him a Somayaaji, and Athirathram bestows on him, the title of Akkithiri or Agnihotri.
Will we ever know if the ritual has been conducted precisely in accordance with the Vedas? “Spotting of a solitary eagle flying in the sky above the yagnashala and a heavy downpour are indications that the gods are pleased with the ritual,” says Namboodiri. In 1975, for instance, it rained!
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Originally Posted by brahman
Panjal 1975 
Kalibanhgan
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