Athirathram, a Vedic ritual, began at Mattathurkunnu, near Kodakara, on Friday.
Kaimukku Raman Somayajippadu is the Yajamanan (chief) and his wife, Aryadevi Pathanadi, is the Yajamana Patni of the 12-day Athiratram.
The rites are being performed under the guidance of Kaimukku Vaidikan Sreedharan Namboodiri. The Yagasala for the Athirathram has been built in an agricultural field near the Kaimukku Mana.
After performing ‘Amavasi ishti' at Kaimukku Mana, the Yajamanan and the Yajamana Patni entered the Yagasala around 10 a.m. Fire was kindled at the Yagashala from ‘Thretagni,' holy flames preserved in the Kaimukku Mana, which is one of the six Vaidika families endorsed to perform a yaga on its own.
The Yajamanan and Yajamana Patni had a meal containing rice. They will not have solid food in the next 12 days. They will have only cow's milk.
Friday's rites concluded with Arani Kadayal. The rites for Saturday will begin around 10 a.m. with the observance of ‘Vritha Panam.'
‘Vathastya Propasthanam,' ‘Sani Grahikkal,' and ‘Pravargya Sambaram' are the other rites to be performed.
