 The Atiratra Agnicayana or Athirathram is a 3000 year old Vedic ritual and is the longest and oldest surviving ritual of mankind: 2011, April 4-15. | |
| | Panjal is the place where Athirathram 2011 to be observed. Panjal Athirathram 2011 dates '� the Vedic ritual begins on 4 April and ends on 15 April 2011. Panjal is a village in Thrissur district in Kerala. Panjal hosted Athirathram in 1975. It is a 4500 year Vedic ritual performed for the prosperity of people and to protect the energy of environment. Varthathe Trust is organizing this event in 2011. Athirathram is observed for 12 days. The events start with Naandeemukham to Saalaapravesham and ends with Yajnapuchham. Everyday Annadanam is performed in the afternoon. This is the great Vedic ritual which is witnessed by thousands of foreign scientists, historians, and cultural activists. All of them scripted the ritual with the golden letters that they have witnessed some clear changes in the environment during and after the Athirathram. |
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thirathram is performed either with Garuda-shaped platform, ( chithy) or without this platform. Panjal Athirathram 2011 will have the hearth shaped like the mythical bird ''Garuda'� or eagle, and made of special bricks laid out to the ancient Vedic measurement.  The Garuda shaped chithy of Panjal Athirathram 2011 is called 'Panchapathrika', as Garuda has 5 wings!  The Panchapathrika, 5 winged Garuda! Now there are 200 bricks in one layer of platform and there will be 5 layers for the platform. The bricks used for the platform are of 5 different shapes  Five different shapes used to construct the Garuda platform The basis is Square, 'Chathurthi'� and all the other four shapes are from the square i.e 'Chathurthyardha'', half of the square. 'Chathurtheepaadya'', 1/4 th of a square, 'Chathurasrapadya'� and ''Hamsamukhi''.  There will be more than 1100 bricks in total for the platform.  |    |
Athirathram 1975
"Miraculous events ended on April 24th 1975 "
Heavy rain after Yagam
Trichur, April 25
The 12-day "Athirathra yagna" ended at Panjal, 30 Kms from here, on Thursday with the completion of all the rites and burning of the yagnasala. (sheds).
An hour later, a heavy downpour fell over the area which the sponsors claimed was true to tradition and marked the "success" of the yagna. Those present at the concluding rites claimed that a "garuda"(eagle) flew over the yagnasala as it was set on fire, in confirmation of another traditional belief.
Trichur town too had a heavy shower last evening.
--The Hindu : India's leading National Daily
Ygashala
Agni Madhanam
Yajman
Bricks- Bird shaped
Soma cart
Altar of Fire
Offering
Ploughing
Domestic and New Altar
Enclosure set on Fire
An hour later, a heavy downpour fell over the area which the sponsors claimed was true to tradition and marked the "success" of the yagna. Those present at the concluding rites claimed that a "garuda"(eagle) flew over the yagnasala as it was set on fire, in confirmation of another traditional belief.
Trichur town too had a heavy shower last evening. The Hindu, April 24th 1975
Courtesy : The Hindu, athirathram2011 website,hindupad,youtube
