IMPORTANCE OF ANKURARPANAM

Ankuararpanam essentially means “sowing the seed”. The essence of this ritual is to make a sankalpa to celebrate a utsavam( festival) and get the grace of the Lord. Sastras prescribe doing ankurarpana 9 days before the festival.

IMPORTANCE OF ANKURARPANAM :

Shastras says that “Ankurarpanam” should never be done in the day time. This dictum has its basis in astrological principles. As chandra is the “sasya karaka” the controller of plants, sowing a seeds is done in the night.

Agamas also mention that the sprouts that emanate from the seeds are symbolic representation of the success of the event. The vessels called ” Palikas” are used to sow the seeds. After that the brahma peetam is decorated as prescribed in the texts using rice etc and different deities like Brahma, Garuda, Sesha, Sudarsana, Vakratunda, Soma, Santa, Indra, Isana and Jaya etc be invited and worshipped through fire by Acharya Purushas. Then “Somam raja” mantra and Vishnu sukta were recited for sowing the seeds and Varuna mantra chanted while sprinkling water.