Soma Yaga takes the green route

KOZHIKODE: Soma Yaga, which is scheduled to be held from February 13 to 19, 2014, under the aegis of the Kashyapa Ashram, will be an eco-friendly event.
Materials for the construction to the Yagasala, the equipment for the Yaga, the publicity materials and even the plates used for serving food will be made of biodegradable objects, say the organizers of the event.
"Yagna Raksha Samithi has declared that it will not use any material that is harmful to the environment including plastics," said Vadakkumbattu Narayanan Namboodiri, the president of the Samithi.
"A way of life that is in consonance with nature is an integral part of the message of the Yaga," he said.
The Samithi will cultivate the rice and vegetables needed for the 'Annadana', which will be held on all days as part of the Yaga. The organizers expect that around 10 lakh people will arrive for the Yaga on the seven days.
The Yaga will be held at Karaparamba in the city.
"We have made arrangements for procuring rice and vegetables that are uncontaminated by chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Sixteen acres at Elanatt in Thrissur district and Kozhinjampara in Palakkad have been identified for paddy cultivation. Vegetables will be cultivated at the Yaga land and at the house of well-wishers of the Kashyapa Asharam," Narayanan Namboodiri said.
K M Hilal, the propagator of natural farming, has been entrusted with the task.
Mayor A K Premajam will inaugurate the sowing of the vegetable seeds at the Yaga land at Karaparamba on September 29. The declaration of the eco-friendly Yaga will also be made on that occasion.
Soma Yaga is being held in Malabar after a gap of a century. A Rath Yathra will be taken from Kanyakumari to Gokarnam to spread the message of the Yaga among the public, Narayanan Namboodiri said.
Vidwan Krishna Bhatt from Mathur village in Karnataka will be the Yajamana of the Yaga. National Vedic conference and Vedic exhibition will also be held in connection with the event.