Kerala village to host yagna for universal peace

KOCHI: Panjal, a village in Kerala’s Thrissur district, is to host the Athirathram yagna in April next year to pray for universal peace and harmony, an official said here on Thursday.

Considered as the ultimate invocation of vedic scriptures for universal harmony, the Athirathram was earlier held 35 years ago under the auspices of the US Harvard and Berkeley Universities and Finland’s Helsinki University. It had made global headlines for its message of peace, universal oneness and solidarity.

The Panjal Athirathram 2011 is being organised by Ottappalam-based Varthathe Trust, and will be held from April 4 to 15 in the vicinity of Panjal Lakshmi Narayana Temple.

Panjal is also in close proximity to the Edappal Shukapuram Temple, regarded as the epicentre of all yagna rituals.

Addressing reporters here, Varthathe Trust managing trustee K. Krishnakumar said preparations for the Panjal Athirathram 2011 are going on full swing.

“The Yajurveda and Samaveda practices that precede the Athirathram have begun at the Panjal Thottathil Mana and Kavupra Maarath Mana. Preparations for the Panjal Athirathram 2011 began after obtaining consent from Shukapuram temple, as called for by tradition,” said Krishnakumar.

The choice of Panjal as the venue for Athirathram 2011 is also in line with geographic and vaastu principles. The yagnashala (where the ceremonies will be performed) is uniquely positioned to imbibe the energy of the sun, which has made Panjal the venue for almost all key yagnas held in Kerala in the past.

“The Athirathram cuts through all barriers of caste, religion, race, colour and sex making it a true union of humanity as one to invoke the bounty of universal energy to promote solidarity and peace,” said Manoj Jacob, an advertisement professional.

Hundreds of vedic scholars are expected to participate in the ritual.

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