Prathiyangara Devi Temple,
Ayyavadi – Nikumbala Yagam
The place itself is considered
holy and called Yagna Bhoomi. (Place where Yagna / Homam is performed). During
full moon day and new moon day a yagna called Nikumbala Homam (yagna) is performed.
Whoever performs or participates in yagna here are truly blessed and their
genuine desires come true. Ill effects because of black magic and all other
evil effects are removed if you participate here in the Yagna. Every New Moon
day, Nikumbala Yagam is conducted from 08.00 am to 02.00 pm. During the yagna,
about 30 Kgs of red chili is put into the sacred fire.
The spicy smoke emanating from
the Yajna fire does not create any inconvenience as coughing etc. to the
attendees which is a specialty of this deity. The Yaga Gundam (a form specially
arranged for the purpose) will have Vinayaka, Muruga, Sastha, Bhairava, Saraba,
Soolini, Varahi, Sudarsanam the discus of Lord Vishnu and Mahalakshmi are
installed around the Yaga platform in such places meant for them according to
the Vedic rules. Centrally, Prathiyangara Devi is installed.
The puja is performed on the
flames of fire called Homa and Nivedhana (offering) is offered. 96 types of
fruits, 9 types of cereals, ghee and silk sarees (all items should add up to
108) are offered in the flames. Finally, large quantities of red chillis are
poured on the flames. More than 15 Sivachariyar are performing the yagna and
pooja. At the end of the yajna, abishekam is performed to Mother Prathiyangara Devi
and Lord Sarabeswarar with holy Kalasa (pots) water. The devotee crowd on
the yajna day is estimated to be around 40,000.
After the yagna, Anna dhanam is
offered to all the devotees. Performing this puja is the main prayer commitment
in this temple. To the best of their ability, devotees offer items needed for
the Nikumbala Yagam, attend it with deep devotion and pray to the Goddess. Maha
Prathiyangara Devi is controlling the Atharvana Veda. Though there are large
number of scholars for Yajur Veda, the number is less in the case of Sama and
Rig. At least in South India, there are very few practitioners of Atharvana
Veda. Hence participating in this Yagna and having darshan of this Devi are
considered as a very rare event in one’s life.
Devotees participate in the
Nikumbala Yajna to regain the position they had lost, for removal of enemy
threats, relief from debt burdens, promotion in jobs, employment opportunities,
wedding boon and progress in business. Those afflicted with adverse aspects of
Saturn-Sani Bhagawan also take part in the Yajna. Those affluent can offer
donations for temple maintenance.
