Athirudram is a Maha Yagnam dedicated to Lord Shiva. And during Chandi sahitha Athirudra Mahayagnam Lord Shiva and Goddess Chandi are worshipped with purest forms of pujas and rituals. In 2013, Athirudram is held at Muramalla village of I.Polavaram mandal of East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.
The schedule of Athirudram Mahayagam is — it begins on 13 February and ends on 15 February 2013.
Chandi Sahitha Athirudram is the highest form of worship to Jaganmaatha and Lord Siva. It is a very rare opportunity to participate in or witness during one’s lifetime.
The proposed ritual is aimed at keeping the tradition of Sankara Bhagavatpada (ADI SANKARA) and getting blessings from Lord Siva with a need for leading a spiritual life and made a call to focus on universal brotherhood for the welfare and well being of the entire mankind.
Athi Rudra Maha Yajnam is known to be a very potent and important form of worship to the primordial representation of energy in Santhana Dharma i.e,, Lord Shiva. It is widely recognized that Shiva is omnipotent,omniscient and omnipresent. Thus, any effective and sincere prayer that recognizes these elements of Lord Shiva will yield the intended results. This becomes multiplied when 1 rudram is chanted. When Rudram is chanted to meet the Athi Rudram count, the results become many folds.
As per the official website of Athirudram 2013…
This EVENT will take place from 13.02.2013 to 25.02.2013 at MURAMALLA, I.POLAVARAM MANDAL of EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH, India very near to the famous and historical “Sri BHADRAKALI sametha VEERESWARA SWAMI Temple” located on the banks of the pious river “GODAVARI”,since centuries with NITYA KALYNA VYBHOGAM; this Vedic ritual will be the 18th consecutive one and continuous one under Sri.K.Hariharanadha Sarma’s stewardship and guidance since 1995 AD. He has confirmed and clarified to one and all that after completing this “18th” Mahayaga, (Refer Sri Vyasa Bhagavan who has given importance to the number 18; He wrote 18(ASHTAADASA)Puranas; Entire Maha Bharatha is linked with this great number and the Maha Bhagavatam contains 18,000 slokas). Sri.K.Hariharanadha Sarma wish to withdraw his stewardship to take rest and enter in to Vanaprastha Ashramam.
Highlights of Athirudra Mahayagam 2013…
Vibrations from the 14,641 (121 RITWIKS *11 CHANTS * A DAY and FOR 11 DAYS) chants of Namakam and 1,331 (121 RITWIKS *1 CHANT* A DAY and FOR * 11 days) chants of Chamakam, by over 121 learned Ritwiks;
Kramaarchanas and Rudraabhishekams, Rudra Homas, Vasorddhara Homa, Purnahuthi by many a Priests, Acharyas and Veda Pundits;
The Rudram starts with Nyaasam, meaning the one who chants, who would visualize himself with each of his parts of the body as given to a deity. The chanter then surrenders body, mind and spirit (aatma) to the deity and become one with him. Thus the effect of Rudra Parayanam will be distributed to entire universe;
An important point to note here is that Rudram is the only Mantra which starts with a prostration to Lord Parameswara (Om Namo Bhagavathey Rudraaya)- In the Vedas none of the mantras start with prostration. This makes Rudram the ultimate and supreme mantra, amongst other great mantras.
In the 1st Anuvaaka the Lord is praised. In the second Anuvaaka to the ninth Anuvaaka, NAMASKAR is offered to the Lord in all directions and these Anuvaakas explain the Sarvaantharyaami Tathwa ( i.e. not only the things which have life but also non-living things are described as Parameswara and Namaskar is being offered). Next boons are asked like, ‘Oh lord please take care of us.’ For example there is a verse:
“Maano Mahantha muthamaano arbhakam Maana ukshantha muthamaana Ukshitham. Maanovathi: Pitharam Motha Matharam Priyaamaanasthanuvo Rudra Reerishaha”.
(“O Lord. Please save all of us, including our parents, elders and even unborn children from all calamities)-
“Om tryambakam yajamahe sugandhim pusti vardhanam Urvarukamiva bandhanan mrtyor mukshiya mamritaat”
(Oh we worship and adore you, Oh three-eyed one, Oh Shiva. You are sweet gladness, the fragrance of life, which nourishes us, restores our health, and causes us to thrive. As, in due time, the stem of the cucumber weakens, and the gourd is freed from the vine, so free us from attachment, death and do not withhold immortality)-
Accommodation and Praasana (Breakfast, Lunch/Dinner) would be provided to all the RITUAL performing group and largely interested participants.
Temporary pandals will be erected for the event, for the convenience of visitors to sit comfortably in the chairs provided and view the entire Yaga programme through the LEDs being fixed to erected poles and fans on the roof; separate cooking, dining and cleaning pandals, sufficient number of toilets separately for Yaga Ritual performing wing, participants and for general public who visits to witness these MAHA YAGAS; better sound system, illumination, parking area, 24 hour emergency medical care, ambulance, fire rescue brigade, drinking water facilities and other arrangements will be taken care with much attention by SAMATHA LOKSEVA SAMITHI and it’s well wishers, supporters, other individuals, associations, groups, service providers and a large number of volunteer teams ;
Spiritually charged atmosphere with over 12 hours a day of ceremonies for 12 consecutive days, spiritual discourses by scholars, VEDA PARAYANA and “ANNA PRASADA SAMAARADHANA” (FREE LUNCH) from 11.A.M. to 3.00 P.M on each day on all the 12 days, starting from 14th February, 2013 through 25th February, 2013 will make your mind free from all other thoughts and take you to an unknown heavenly pleasure.
Anna Samaaradhana on all 12 days from 14.02.2013 to 25.02.2013 numbering nearly 10 to 12 lakh people is an important part of these Maha Yagas. (There were nearly 7 lakhs people in Athirathram-2012, organized by Samatha Lokseva Samithi).