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.
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.
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.
The procession started from the home of Somyaji Suhota Dikshit Apte, where the fire has been burning for over 60 years.
Agnihotri Suhota Deepak Apte is a third-generation devotee of Agnihotra Vrat (Ritual of Fire Yadnya Worship).
On Day 1, Agnistoma, the first of the som yag, which is one of the seven soma institutions, was performed.
The day commenced with the Ganesh Pujan, invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha, and was followed by Punyvachanam.
Several renowned and knowledgeable scholars, who are well-versed with the Vedas, have been invited for the event.
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.
The rituals of Day 1 came to an end after the Dikshiyaneshti was performed.