Sashtiapthapoorthi (60th Birthday Pooja)

Shastipoorthi Pooja is a traditional ritual performed at the age of 60. It is also known as Shashti Abda Poorti Puja or Ugraratha Santi Puja. It is a significant milestone in an individual's life and marks the transition towards spirituality. At this stage, a person is usually content with material pursuits and is ready to explore deeper spiritual dimensions. The puja is performed to seek blessings for the realization of one's higher self. 

In Hinduism, the sixtieth birthday holds great importance as it symbolizes the completion of familial duties and the beginning of a focus on spiritual growth, meditation, and God. Children can perform the Shashti Purthi Puja on behalf of their parents to wish them a long and healthy life. 

The sixtieth year in everyone's life is a significant milestone, a memorable turning point, and a touching reminder of the rich, mellowed life that will unfold in the years to come. The sages and the Rishis of lore have acknowledged the sanctity of the sixtieth year in one's life and have drawn out elaborate rituals to mark this special event. This Puja, with its Gauri, Ganpati, Kalash, Sthapana, and prayers to Navgraha, Lord Mahamrityunjaya and Lord Dhanvantri, as well as chanting of various Vedic mantras and Homa, is a testament to the reverence and gratitude for the richness of life at 60. 

This puja involves: 
1. Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra Japa and Homa: Lord Shiva is invoked as Mahakaal the primal force that has conquered the time and hence 'the death'. This particular Homam is done for longevity. 

2. Navagraha Mantra Japa and Homa: A fire ritual for pleasing the nine planets that rule and define the fruits of one's karma, so that they may be favorable to one's spiritual pursuits that one is expected to seek after he turns sixty. 

3. Dhanvantari Mantra Japa and Homa: To invoke the blessings of Dhanvanthri, the God of medicine. He is depicted as having medicinal herbs in one hand, and a pot containing nectar in the other. When this Homam is performed, it spreads positive energies and good will for good health and longevity. 

According to astrology, specific age milestones have greater meanings as below: 
Saturn at 7 Years, the Initial Square of Saturn: People encounter their first Saturn square, or growth and struggle time, around the age of 7. Saturn's influence promotes responsibility, self-control, and setting limits. It's a period when constraints and experiences teach us valuable lessons. 

Jupiter Return at 12 Years Old: About every twelve years, Jupiter completes its orbit, making a return around the age of twelve. It's linked to development, growth, and chances for both intellectual and personal progress. People could encounter heightened optimism, inquisitiveness, and a need for information at this period. 

Saturn's First Return at 28–30 Years Old: Around the age of 28 to 30, the first return of Saturn occurs, signifying the completion of one complete orbit of the planet since birth. It's a big turning point in life that has to do with becoming an adult, growing in your work, and setting long-term objectives. People could encounter more obligations, difficulties, and chances for development and maturation. 

Neptune's Opposition at 41–42 Years Old: People may encounter their first Neptune opposition—a situation in which Neptune opposes its natal position—between the ages of 41 and 42. This transit is linked to heightened intuition, spiritual enlightenment, and a need for connections and significance that go deeper. It may usher in a time of reflection, creativity, and metaphysical or mystical domain investigation. 

At about People 60 years of age or older can be having their third Jupiter return. At 60 years old, the third Jupiter return portends a time of wisdom, introspection, and spiritual development. People may have a strong sense of appreciation around this time for all of the experiences and lessons they have had throughout their lives. 

People also undergo their second Saturn return at this age, which is another important life transition. As someone enters the later phases of maturity, this transit encourages them to reevaluate their accomplishments, obligations, and long-term objectives. It's a time for reflection, storing up knowledge, and maybe making big life decisions based on lessons discovered over the years. The second return of Saturn is frequently associated with retirement, spiritual endeavors, and a heightened awareness of legacy and making a significant contribution to the world. 

Prayer Rituals include: Kalash Sthapana, Panchang Sthapana (Gauri Ganesh, Punyavachan, Shodash Matrika, Navgraha, Sarvotabhadra), 64 yogini Pujan, Shetrapal Pujan, Swasti Vachan, Sankalpa, Ganesh & Laxmi Pujan, Rudra abhishek with Mahamrityunjaya mantra chanting 2100 times, Lord Dhanvantri abhishek with chanting of Purusha Suktam 11 times and Dhanvantari Mantra Japa 2100 times, Navgraha pujan with chanting of all graha mantra 1100 times each. 

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra: Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti-vardhanam Urvarukamiva bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat 

Dhanvantari Mantra: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaaya Dhanvantaraye Amrita-kalasha Hastaaya Sarva-amaya Vinashaaya Trailokya Naathaya Dhanvantri Maha-vishnave Namaha 

Navagraha Mantras: Sun - Om Ghrini Suryaye Namah
Moon - Om Aim Kleem Somaye Namah
Mars - Om Hoom Shreem Mangalaya Namah
Mercury - Om Braam Breem Braum Sah Budhaye Namah
Jupiter - Om Gram Greem Graum Sah Guruve Namah
Venus - Om Draam Dreem Droum Sah Shukraye Namah
Saturn - Om Sham Shanaischaryaye Namah
Rahu - Om Raam Rahve Namah
Ketu - Om Hreem Ketave Namah

No. of Priests: 5 
Duration: 1 day

A short Video of the Sankalpa and mantra chanting would be sent to you along with the photographs of the Puja ritual. You may connect with the priest during the puja (video or phone call) on WhatsApp or Skype and watch the rituals live. Puja Tokri having prasad and energized Gauri Shankar Rudraksha from Nepal in silver would be sent along. Rudra Centre priests will perform Sashtiapthapoorthi as per Vedic rituals based on birth details. Please mention your birth details (name, date, place, time), & Sankalp (your wish) at checkout. This is an individual Puja (you may do puja on individual name or include your near and dear ones in the puja).