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In 1975, the Agnichayana, a 3000-year-old ritual, the
longest and the oldest surviving ritual of mankind, was performed at Panjal
in Kerala, India. The 12- day ritual was performed by Namboothiri
Brahmins of Kerala. Long considered extinct and never witnessed by
outsiders, the ceremonies require the participation of seventeen priests,
preceded by several months of preparation and rehearsals.
This
performance was instigated by the Indologist Dr. Frits Staal of the
University of California and by Mr. Robert Gardner, with support from
several international agencies.
The two Vedic Scholars primarily responsible for the
1975 performance were Brahmasree Muttathukattu Mammunnu Itti Ravi
(undisputed master of the Jaiminiya Samaveda) and Brahmasree Cherumukku
Vaidikan Vallabhan Somayajipad or CV (occupies a central position in the
ritual realm of the Rgveda and Yajurveda).
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