And, Som Yag Yadnya Festival begins in Goa ...

Venita Gomes

With a view to propitiating peace and harmony in the state of Goa, the 6-day Som Yag Yadnya Festival began with fervour at the Vishwati Vishweshwar Temple, Mapusa, Goa.

Som Yag Yadnya Festival | Vishwati Vishweshwar Temple| Mapusa | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

Somyaji Suhota Dikshit Apte and his wife, Smrudhi Suhota Dikshit Apte, who will conduct the Agnishtom Som Yag, led the procession to install the fire (Agni) in the Somayaga kunda.

Som Yag Yadnya Festival | Vishwati Vishweshwar Temple| Mapusa | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

Somyaji Suhota Dikshit Apte and his wife, Smrudhi Suhota Dikshit Apte walked for over 2 km in order to reach the site of the Som Yag Yadnya rituals.

Som Yag Yadnya Festival | Vishwati Vishweshwar Temple| Mapusa | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

The procession started from the home of Somyaji Suhota Dikshit Apte, where the fire has been burning for over 60 years.

Som Yag Yadnya Festival | Vishwati Vishweshwar Temple| Mapusa | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

Agnihotri Suhota Deepak Apte is a third-generation devotee of Agnihotra Vrat (Ritual of Fire Yadnya Worship).

Som Yag Yadnya Festival | Vishwati Vishweshwar Temple| Mapusa | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

On Day 1, Agnistoma, the first of the som yag, which is one of the seven soma institutions, was performed.

Som Yag Yadnya Festival | Vishwati Vishweshwar Temple| Mapusa | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

The day commenced with the Ganesh Pujan, invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha, and was followed by Punyvachanam.

Som Yag Yadnya Festival | Vishwati Vishweshwar Temple| Mapusa | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

Several renowned and knowledgeable scholars, who are well-versed with the Vedas, have been invited for the event.

Som Yag Yadnya Festival | Vishwati Vishweshwar Temple| Mapusa | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

They were offered the Diksha Vastra (dhoti), which they will be required to wear for the next 5 days of the Som Yag Yadnya Festival.

Som Yag Yadnya Festival | Vishwati Vishweshwar Temple| Mapusa | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

The rituals of Day 1 came to an end after the Dikshiyaneshti was performed.

Som Yag Yadnya Festival | Vishwati Vishweshwar Temple| Mapusa | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

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