Significance

Ugra-Ratha Shanti refers to the harsh nature of time which one could see coming and hence the purpose of the ceremony is to empower the couple with health, strength of body sharpness of intellect so as to prolong their companionship and those of family and friends. Three different ways are prescribed for this ceremony – 1.Śaunakoktam 2.Bodhāyanoktam 3.Shaivāgamoktam. It is recommended that this occasion should be performed ideally in the same year, month and on the same day of the birth according to the Indian calendar. This is usually performed at ones pilgrim town, a temple, a river-bank or even a householder’s residence.

This constitutes Parātpara Pūjā in which the deities of Ganapati, Durga and Viṣṇu are to be worshipped.The seas, the rivers, the presiding deities of the Directions (Dikpālakas), navagrahas are invoked into the Kalasas and puja offered to the respective deities. The gods which rule each year of the Hindu Calendar (60 years) each Ayana (Uttara, Dakshina), each season, (six ṛtus) each month (12 months), each fortnight, (śukla and kṛṣṇa) each tithi (15) each day of the week (seven) each star (27 stars), each, yoga, each karaṇa and each rāśi are duly worshipped. Post the homam,acharyas and ritviks take the sanctified water and perform Abhisheka to the householder. The householder then participates in giving alms. The Acharyas and ritviks who conducted the Shanti Yagna are to be given Daśa Dānās to express gratitude for their services. Annadāna is the foremost of these gifts Food Feeding is accomplished

It is believed that the householder is relieved of their social, secular, spiritual obligations when he successfully participates in this Shanti programme thus being blessed with a long and healthy life. Through this grand and auspicious ritual the Shanti aspects, which run through the “Shastipūrti” celebrations constitutes a blend of spiritual and social obligations that’s a key highlight of Indian Vedic culture and tradition.