When Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar Ashram took me under his wings in 2005, a beautiful relationship took place between the Guru and the student. He would often give tasks, leaving me to figure out how I would go about it. This is how I came to do the homam or fire sacrifice at my home. Then when he included the lighting of the Yagam on a big scale at his Kallar Ashram, he asked me to follow suit in Malaysia, simultaneously. I followed him over the years, celebrating Agathiyar's Jayanthi and Guru Puja on the day and at the same time, 2 1/2 hours ahead due to the difference in time zone. Then Agathiyar revealed in my Nadi the exact time of his origin, 10.50 minutes after the birth of the Ahilya Star in the Tamil month of Margazhi. I carried out at this time although Tavayogi continued to conduct the Yagam at 2pm each year. He had to accommodate the convenience of devotees who took public transport and came from all corners of India.
Since 2017 Agathiyar has switched for us the date to the Tamil month of Thai, Pusam star, coinciding with Thaipusam for reasons only known to him. He has asked us to conduct his Vizha gain on the same day, which is tomorrow 8 February 2020. AVM will host his Vizha on a modest and small scale as always.
The tentative schedule is as follows:
8 - 9 am - Participation of devotees in Sariyai. Cleaning, Preparing and Setting up for the rituals that are to follow. Annadhanam or Serving breakfast.
9 - 10.30 am - Participation of devotees in Kriyai. Conducting the Homam followed by Libation or Abhisegam to Agathiyar's statue. Alangaram or dressing up Agathiyar in his finest clothes.
10.40 - 11am - Participation of devotees in Yogam. Sitting still in meditation.
11 am - A Discourse on Jnanam.
12 noon - Annadhanam or Serving Lunch
It has been some 17 years now since AVM has been host to many an event and festivities for Agathiyar. We pray that he gives us the health, strength, and lifespan of many more years to serve him to the best of our ability.