Sashtiaapdapoorthi
Encyclopedia
Sashtiaapdapoorthi is a Hindu
ceremony celebrating a marriage, akin to the renewal of marital vows
and the "Silver Anniversary" in the West. Specifically, it marks simultaneously the 60th birthday of the husband and the wedding anniversary of the couple ("Sashti" - 60, "aApda" - years/life (as in Sagaptham), "poorthi" -"completion."
There are 60 years in a Hindu calendar
cycle. Each year has a name. When a person reaches 60, they enter the second cycle. This is reason enough to celebrate, having learned, entering married life, raising children, having devoted to the service of God and setting an example to the family and society.
Historically, because the husband would typically always be older than wife, Sashtiaapdapoorthi is celebrated when the husband (as opposed to the wife) turns 60. Widowed, divorced or remarried do not usually celebrate this ceremony.
The celebration is usually organized by the couple's children, younger siblings and grand children. In addition to various poojas, part of the wedding ceremony is reenacted. The couple that is celebrating Sashtiaapdapoorthi are given blessings from elders who have themselves already celebrated Sashtiaapdapoorthi. After this, the now blessed couple in turn blesses all others participating or witnessing the ceremony who are younger than 60.
Similar kind of celebration for elderly persons is Sahasra purna chandrodayam
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
ceremony celebrating a marriage, akin to the renewal of marital vows
Wedding vow renewal ceremony
A wedding vow renewal ceremony is a ceremony in which a married couple renew or reaffirm their wedding vows. The ceremonies have been popular in Italy for decades, and have existed in United States since the 1950s, but only became popular there after the 1970s...
and the "Silver Anniversary" in the West. Specifically, it marks simultaneously the 60th birthday of the husband and the wedding anniversary of the couple ("Sashti" - 60, "aApda" - years/life (as in Sagaptham), "poorthi" -"completion."
There are 60 years in a Hindu calendar
Hindu calendar
The hindu calendar used in ancient times has undergone many changes in the process of regionalization, and today there are several regional Indian calendars, as well as an Indian national calendar. Nepali calendar, Bengali calendar, Malayalam calendar, Tamil calendar, Telugu calendar, Kannada...
cycle. Each year has a name. When a person reaches 60, they enter the second cycle. This is reason enough to celebrate, having learned, entering married life, raising children, having devoted to the service of God and setting an example to the family and society.
Historically, because the husband would typically always be older than wife, Sashtiaapdapoorthi is celebrated when the husband (as opposed to the wife) turns 60. Widowed, divorced or remarried do not usually celebrate this ceremony.
The celebration is usually organized by the couple's children, younger siblings and grand children. In addition to various poojas, part of the wedding ceremony is reenacted. The couple that is celebrating Sashtiaapdapoorthi are given blessings from elders who have themselves already celebrated Sashtiaapdapoorthi. After this, the now blessed couple in turn blesses all others participating or witnessing the ceremony who are younger than 60.
Similar kind of celebration for elderly persons is Sahasra purna chandrodayam
Sahasra purna chandrodayam
Sahasra purna chandrodayam is the celebration of a person's 1000th full moon during his or her life as a special occasion. This is a custom in India and Nepal. As the time between similar lunar phases, the synodic month, is on average 29.53 days, this is usually celebrated in 82–83 years...