Sadhabhishekam Ceremony

 

Sadhabhishekam also known as “sahastra Chandra darshana” is celebrated when a man completes 80 years of life. Recently I was invited to a Sadhabhishekam ceremony by a friend who was celebrating her Parent’s Sadhabhishekam as her father had completed 80 years. However, the invitation card showed a couple sitting down with garlands and few family members showering them with flower petals. Now, was this a wedding or birthday celebration? If it was a birthday, why were both (husband and wife) seated rather than only the husband. It was a bit confusing to me. I was curious to find the facts.

I found the right opportunity and put forward the query to my friend for explanation. The first thing she told me was that without the presence of the wife, this ceremony can't be celebrated. She said “the significance behind this celebration is that by the time the man completes 80 years, he has seen 1000 moons in his lifetime and has performed his duties of looking after the family, getting the kids married and get them settled so he deserves to be celebrated, but he wouldn’t have been able to achieve all this without the support of his wife, which is why on this auspicious day, the husband has to be accompanied by his wife. 

There is another belief which claims that after having seen 1000 moons, the couple start to increase the spirituality in their lives. This ceremony is generally organised by the family members like son, daughter, brother or any other member of the family who wishes to host the event. Sadabhisekham is also known as Ayul Shanthi Homam. It consists of a family deity Pooja followed by 9 homams like Ganapathi, Lakshmi, Amrutha Mrityunjeyar, Ayush, Danvantri and Kalabhisheka, after which the couples exchange the garlands and then the groom ties thali to the bride. Once the entire ceremony is over, the couple is considered to be similar to Lord Shiva and Parvathi so all the guests attending the ceremony and the relatives, get the blessings of the couple.

I had heard about the Sashtipurti which is celebrated on completion of 60 years but was not aware of the Sadhabhishekam. I am glad through this invitation, I was enlightened about yet another ceremony.