Suppose the date today is 1st of July. Look into the timetable to find out exact time of sunset. The timetable tells you that the Sun would set at 6 minutes past 7. So about ten minutes before the sun-set time you should properly arrange the dry cow-dung cake pieces inside the other leaving a little empty space in the center to place the camphor bits. Light the camphor bits with a matchstick, Cow-dung pieces would burn and in about 8-9 minutes the fire in pot would be ready for offering oblations. A minute before the exact time of sunset, pick up a few grains of rice, smear them with two drops of cow-ghee, place then on your palm, divide them into two equal parts, and as the clock shows 6 minutes past 7, pick up one part of ghee-smeared rice grains with the fingers of your other hand, and chant the following mantra in clear, loud voice.

"Agnaye Swaha"

Just as "Swaha" is being uttered, drop the rice -offering into fire in the pot (kund) with a neat smooth motion of your fingers. The offering would instantly burn emitting flame/smoke. Follow it up immediately with the chanting of second part of the mantra:

“Agnaye Idam Na Mama”

This would complete the first mantra and the oblation. Next, pick up the rest of the rice-grains placed on your palm, hold them in the fingers of your other hand, and make the second offering into the fire by chanting in the above manner the following mantra:

“Prajapataye Swaha”

After offering, you must loudly chant:

"Prajapataye Idam Na Mama"

This would complete the proceedings .The tow offerings take around two minutes. The rice-grain burns with a clear flame, or could emit some smoke. You have to sit straight backed while performing Agnihotra, and look into the oblations flame in the fire-pot as you make the offerings and chant mantras. Get up after the oblations are consumed the fire, or you can do meditation, yoga, prayer, or your daily rituals as it is after Agnihotra.

The Sun-rise Agnihotra is performed similarly at he exact time of sun-rise everyday. There is a little change in the first mantra chanted; the sunset offering is made to Surya (sun), hence the mantra at sun -rise Agnihotra is:

“Suryay Swaha”
“Suryay Idam Na Mama"

The second mantra remains the same:

“Prajapataye Swaha”
“Prajapataye Idam Na Mama"

Everybody present at Agnihotra must join in chanting the mantra. Bathing is not a necessary condition for one to perform Agnihotra. However, it is advisable to take bath before performing the sunrise Agnihotra. Sunset Agnihotra can be performed after washing of hands and feet. The stress is on ensuring bodily cleanliness while performing Agnihotra.

Life Saving Agnihotra
Who can Perform Agnihotra
Requisites for Agnihotra
How to Perform