Altar of Fire
1976, English. Directed by Robert Gardner.
This film records a 12 day ritual performed by Mambudiri Brahmins in Kerala, southwest India, in April 1975. This event was possibly the last performance of the Agnicayana, a Vedic ritual of sacrifice dating back 3,000 years and probably the oldest surviving human ritual. Long considered extinct and never witnessed by outsiders, the ceremonies require the participation of seventeen priests, involve libations of Soma juice and oblations of other substances, all preceded by several months of preparation and rehearsals. They include the construction, from a thousand bricks, of a fire altar in the shape of a bird.
- Runtime
- 0h 45m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Check local
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Where to watch Altar of Fire
Altar of Fire isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can watch it free online.
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KanopyAvailability in India as of 13 November 2026. Streaming data by JustWatch.
Cast & crew
Details
- Released
- 1 January 1976
- Country
- India, United States of America
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News & fan talk
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Altar of Fire: quick answers
Is Altar of Fire worth watching?
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How long is Altar of Fire?
Altar of Fire runs 45 minutes (0h 45m).
Does Altar of Fire have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for Altar of Fire. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
Altar of Fire parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for Altar of Fire yet.
Which OTT platform is Altar of Fire on?
Altar of Fire isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can watch it free online. (Checked 13 November 2026.)
What movies are like Altar of Fire?
If you liked Altar of Fire, try Ex Libris: The New York Public Library, Capital in the Twenty-First Century, A Toxic Love Story.
Who directed Altar of Fire?
Altar of Fire (1976) was directed by Robert Gardner.