World’s most ancient ritual in Thrissur

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SCHOLARS FROM Andhra University and other prestigious institutions are reaching Panjal village in Kerala that is getting ready to host Athirathram, the world’s oldest known ritual, from April 4.
“We are flooded with calls from institutions across the country, particularly from AP and Tamil Nadu,” said Mr V.P.M. Nampoori, who was the director of the International School of Photonics in the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), and who would lead the scientists and scholars in their study of the ancient ritual.
He added that a four-member team including a research head, an associate professor and two researchers from the Andhra University had confirmed their participation.
The team would study the nature and impact of the gases emitted from the “Homa” under the leadership of Prof. Someswara Rao of the department of analytical chemistry.
Likewise, scholars from Kyoto University, Harvard University and some other international universities have sought permission to conduct studies on the ritual’s effect on microorganisms in the soil.
Dr Parvathy Menon, a noted botanist from Thiruvananthapuram, will study the effect of the ritual on plants.
“Athirathram is performed to ensure and promote universal harmony, peace, solidarity, prosperity and spiritual enlightenment,” said Mr Nampoori. Panjal, known as the village of Vedas and yagams, had last hosted Athirathram in 1975. The eminent scholar, Prof. Frits Stal of the University of California, had then carefully documented the preparations for the ritual.
“This time, we are looking at the effects of Athirathram on the environment making use of the modern recording instruments available now,” said Mr Nampoori.