The Agnishtom and Vajapeya Som yagnas are rarely performed since they demand performance of the procedures by highly qualified priests who compulsorily have to be Agnihotris ie they should have consecrated and continuously maintained the three sacred vedic fires of Ahavaniya, Garhapatya and Dakshinagni. The yagna was last performed at Pune way back in 1955, Jichkar informed at a press conference held on Sunday.

Of the 10,500 mantras written in Rigveda, 2,500 are in use in various religious ceremonies, while the rest are chanted only during Som yagna, Jichkar said. Due to rarity of performance of the yagna,these mantras have either been forgotten or aren't being passed to the new generation, he said. Besides keeping the traditions alive, the yagnas are aimed at invoking blessings of God for welfare of mankind for peace and tranquility and preservation of nature and the environment. According to Jichkar, as part of the rituals, a symbolic chariot race would be held on March 14 at 9 am at Kasturchand Park ground and important persons from all fields, castes and religions have been invited to lead the chariots.

The Agnishtom yagna would be performed by Jichkar and his wife Rajashri Jichkar from March 1 to 7, while Krishnashastri Bapat and his wife Vaijayanti Bapat would perform Vajapeya yagna from March 8 to 20. Both Jichkar and Bapat are Agnihotris.