Agnicayana
"Athirathram" redirects here. For the Malayalam film, see Athirathram (film).
The Agnicayana (ati-rātra agni-cayana; lit. 'over-night piling up of the fire') or Athirathram (Malayalam: അതിരാത്രം) is a category of advanced Śrauta rituals.
After one has established the routine of the twice-daily Agnihotra offerings and fortnightly darśa-pūrṇa-māsa offerings (Full and New Moon rites), one is eligible to perform the Agnistoma, the simplest soma rite. After the agnistoma, one is eligible to perform more extensive soma rites and Agnicayana rites. There are several varieties of Agnicayana.
Agnicayana continues to be performed in Kerala.
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