TIRUVANNMALAI, INDIA, June 19, 2011 (demotix.com): In a rare ritual, 121 Brahmins recited “Sri Rudram,” a prime section of the Yajur Veda, 11 times a day over 11 consecutive days, concurrently with ‘yagna’ (fire worship) and chanting of all four ancient Vedas.
Tiruvannamalai is regarded as especially auspicious for this event, because in the seventh section of the “Sri Rudram” which consists of 13 sections, the phrase “Arunachalaya cha” occurs, referring to none other than Mount Arunachala (2,800 feet), the sacred hill that towers over the town and from which Tiruvannamalai gets its name. ‘Annamalai’ is another name for ‘Arunachala’ and ‘Tiru’ signifies auspiciousness.
Undertaking such a ritual is also a challenging logistical exercise, from the determination of auspicious dates for the event, engaging the large number of priests, providing for their accommodation, food and transportation, as well as marshaling the plethora of items that are utilized in the worship.
A slideshow with images recorded on the second day of the ceremony can be viewed at source.