Abstract:

"This renowned documentary provides a detailed record of the world's oldest surviving ritual, the Agnicayana, a Vedic sacrifice to Agni, god of fire, that dates back some 3,000 years. Thought to be extinct and never before witnessed by outsiders, the 12-day ritual was performed in 1975 -- perhaps for the last time -- in a village in southwestern India. This classic and timeless film was directed by Robert Gardner and co-produced by Dr. Fritz Staal."