In Kerala, far away from the original home of Vedic civilization, a few families among the isolated and orthodox community of Namboothiri (Nampoothiri or Nampoothiry or Nambudiri, Brahmins with Malayalam as their mother tongue) Brahmin have maintained their vedic tradition and continue to perform two Vedic rituals: the Agnistoma, which lasts six days, and the Agnichayana or Agni, which lasts twelve days.The Namboothiri performances are not artificial or scholarly re-constructions of, nor are they the results of recent revivals. The tradition is authentic and alive. They perform rituals as they have learned them from their preceptors. It is their tradition.

During the last hundred years, the Agnicayana has performed seventeen times, during the last fifty years, five times. After a gap of almost twenty years, it was celebrated again in 1975 and 1990.

Eligibility

              Agnichayana is an optional (kamya) rite .A namboohiri is eligible to perform the Agni, only if he has already performed the Agnistoma.The Agnistoma can only be performed by a brahmin whose ancestors have performed it before him . He should belong to the family which is entitled to do Yaagam .He has performed a shorter ritual by name “Aadhaanam”. He is married and his wife is alive.  If his father or elder brother are alive, they should have performed it before him.

Time

            The season for performing Agni is Vasantham (The Spring).The yajamana should start the ritual on or after new moon with intetion of completing the cermonies before full moon  (Agni at Panjal was from Apr 12 ^th 1975 onwards).

Place

          The Soma rituals are never performed near cremeation grounds, in temples, or on temple grounds.( In 1975 a paddy field in Panjal was selected)