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Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Prathiyangara Devi Temple, Ayyavadi – Nikumbala Yagam

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.