Som Yag Yadnya gets underway in Mapusa
Agnistom Mahasomayag organised by the Gomantak-Sakal Media Group got underway on Sunday at Canca, Bardez, and will go on till February 10. The six-day event exhorts people to strive for world peace, cleansing of the environment and spiritual empowerment.
This Mahasomagay started in the vicinity of Vishwati Vishweshwar Devasthan today at 8 am with Abhijit Pawar, Managing Director of Sakal Media Group, partaking in it.
Pawar himself performed Ganesh Puja and Punyawachan at the yadnya sthala. After the ritual, he handed over the hosting of this Agnishtom Mahasomayaga to the village priest of Mapusa, Somyaji Suhota Deepak Dixit Apte and his wife Samridhi. Now, the Apte couple will continue with the yadnya for the next six days.
Mahaprasad has been arranged in the afternoon for the devotees who come for the darshan of Somayaga for the next six days.
The tradition of yadnya is ancient in Goa, which is known as the land of Lord Parasurama. An initiative has been taken through this yadnya to revive this tradition and preserve the culture of sacrifice.
On Sunday, in the presence of the priests, Madhuparka, Agnimanthan, Kushmand, Pravargasambharana, Dikshaniyeshti and Diksha were held at the yadnya site in Pragvansh Mandapa.
This Mahasomayag will be held from 9 am to 7 pm daily. It will conclude on the morning of February 10 with Avaghrit Snan (ritualistic bath).
Meanwhile, horses, cows and goats have been brought to the yadnya site. These are worshipped during rituals, according to Mahasomayaga.
RECITATION OF MANTRAS
The yadnya is being performed to strengthen the Panchamahabhutas. Panchamahabhutas are the five great elements that together make every element of the universe. These elements include space, wind, fire, water, and earth. Each element has its unique characteristic and a major role to play in the formation of this world.
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS
*17 gurujis from outside Goa were present at the place of Agnishtom Mahasomayag on Sunday. These included priests from Pune, Kolhapur, Hyderabad, Satara and Solapur.
*Pragvansh Mandapa has been constructed at the yadnya sthala and four Homkundas namely Garhapathya, Dakshinagni, Ahavaniya and Vedi have been prepared and are filled with dung.
*Two cottages known as patnishalas have been built at the site to provide shelter for women.
*Apart from this, mahaprasad (pure vegetarian) is arranged in the afternoon for the devotees who come for the yadnya. The place where mahaprasad is served is named as bhojanshala.
*A big mandap has been erected at the place of sacrifice and the ground inside the mandap is completely covered with dung.
