Sashtiaapdapoorthi and SathAbhishEkam

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 some one 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.

Since the husband is always older than wife, Sashtiaapdapoorthi is celebrated when the husband turns 60. Widowed or remarried do not usually celebrate.

The celebration is usually organized by children, younger siblings and grand children. In addition to various poojas, part of the wedding is reenacted. The couple that is celebrating Sashtiaapdapoorthi get blessings from elders who celebrated Sashtiaapdapoorthi. Then they bless anybody younger than 60.

I will write about SathAbhishEkam soon.

I have witnessed and got blessings in 3 Sashtiaapdapoorthis and 1 SathAbhishEkam. I incidentally came across these photos from my Periyappas Sashtiaapdapoorthi that happened at my house in Pattakkara Street, Mannarrgudi in eary 80s (must be 1981 or 1982, I will ask mother). I was 11 or 12 years old, I vivdly remember all the preparations, celebrations etc. Take a look at these photos, I will add more details soon since Srinidhi is calling me to play now.