More than three thousand years ago, the earliest form of worship was carried out on Vedic altars. To these also must be traced the roots of Indian architecture. The three fire altars – the ahavaniya, the garhapatya and the dakshinagni – have cosmic correspondences, representing celestial space, the terrestrial world and the world of air.

A vedic altar showing the five layers
A vedic altar showing the five layers: More than three thousand years ago, the earliest form of worship was carried out on Vedic altars. To these also must be traced the roots of Indian architecture. The three fire altars – the ahavaniya, the garhapatya and the dakshinagni – have cosmic correspondences, representing celestial space, the terrestrial world and the world of air. Each is constructed of five layers of bricks which signify:The five elementsThe five mental statesThe five sheaths of the soul

Each is constructed of five layers of bricks which signify:

  • The five elements
  • The five mental states
  • The five sheaths of the soul
Yagna held in Kerala testifi to the continuity of tradition over hundreds of years. Note five layers of altar.
Yagna held in Kerala testifi to the continuity of tradition over hundreds of years. Note five layers of altar.