Date:29/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/29/stories/2006112902790300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

800 Vedic scholars take part in Satabhishekam

Staff Reporter

TIRUCHI: The Satabhishekam of the 45th Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt, Sri Narayana Yateendra Mahadesikan, now on at the Dasavathara Sannidhi at Srirangam, will be a turning point in the history of the Vedas in the country.

The Satabhisheka Mahothsavam began on November 25 and concludes on November 30 when the holy constellation `Uttirattadi' falls. Besides the rituals associated with the event, the conduct of special sessions such as Sri Malola Vidwat Sadas and Vedanta Vichara Sabha are aimed at re-discovering and re-establishing some of the branches of the Vedas. The `Ranaayini Vedam' and the `Jaiminiya Saamam' are some of the Shakas, which are considered near extinct, with only a few pandits in Assam and Andhra Pradesh practising them.

The Satabhisheka Committee has invited these pandits, as part of the efforts at re-establishing the rare components of the Vedas, Public Relations co-ordinator M. V. Anantha Padmanabhan told journalists here on Tuesday.

In all, 800 pandits from many parts of the country are participating in the Veda Parayanam. Sri Jeeyar will perform a `Pattina Pravesam' on Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday, the devotees will get Sri Pada Theertham (the sacred water) from the Jeeyar.