Last updated on September 25th, 2025 at 09:32 pm
“Shashtipoorthi Mahayagna: Gratitude, Blessings, And Spiritual Pledge”
Newz Daddy Spiritual Updates
“Somnath Mahadev Temple of Ahmedabad Hosts First Group Shashtipoorthi Mahayagna”
Dr. Mehul Vinodray Mashkaria, a well-known orthopaedic surgeon, and his wife Dr. Hina Mehul Mashkaria, a noted gynaecologist, are marking a major life milestone. This year, Dr. Mehul turns 60 years old, and to honour that, they have planned a unique religious ceremony called the Shashtipoorthi Mahayagna at Somnath Mahadev Temple, Ahmedabad.
The ceremony will take place on Friday, 19 September 2025, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, at Somnath Mahadev Temple near Shastri Bridge in Giaspur, Ahmedabad. In this Mahayagna, besides Dr. Mehul, 35 of his close relatives and friends (each also around 60 years old), 8 family members, and 60 Brahmins (priests) will take part. Each person will have their own yagna kund (fire pit) and will perform rituals including Shashtipoorthi Puja and Ugrarath Shantiyagna. Friends and well-wishers are coming from America and London.
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The ceremony is conducted under the guidance of Principal Dr. Yogeshwar Shastriji and his team of 60 Brahmins. What makes this event rare is that 35 people in one gathering are doing their Shashtipoorthi together, along with full rituals. Organisers believe this may be the first time in India that such a large group has done so. A team aiming at a Unique World Record will also attend.
Because Dr. Mehul is Jain, the day after the Mahayagna, he plans a two-day pilgrimage with about 170 Jain relatives. They will go to Jirawala Parshvanath in Rajasthan, and also visit Panchteerth (five famous Jain tirthas).
The goal behind all this is to express gratitude for life up to 60 years of health, respect, and prosperity, and to seek blessings for good health, spiritual work, and well-being in the remaining years.
To better understand the meaning of this event, here are some key points:
What is Shashtipoorthi
In Hindu tradition, turning 60 is considered a sacred milestone. The word “Shashtipoorthi” means completing 60 years. This age marks the completion of important cycles of the Sun, Moon, and planets. It is believed that at this stage, a person’s life comes full circle, almost like returning to the same planetary positions as at birth.
Rituals and Customs
During the Shashtipoorthi Mahayagna, rituals include offerings into the sacred fire, chanting of mantras, and prayers for long life, health, and peace. There is also Ugrarath Shanti, a ritual to remove negative influences and fears that may come with old age. Sometimes, couples even renew their marriage vows during this ceremony as a symbol of starting a fresh chapter.
Shashtipoorthi is usually done for one individual or a couple with family. Bringing together 35 people, each with their own yagna kund, is extraordinary. It makes the event larger, more powerful, and more visible, while creating a strong sense of community.
Jirawala Parshvanath in Rajasthan is one of the most respected Jain pilgrimage sites. Thousands of devotees visit it each year to seek blessings. The Panchteerth Yatra refers to visiting five sacred Jain temples in one journey. For Jains, these pilgrimages are a way to purify the soul, deepen faith, and gather with the community in devotion.
Why Gratitude is Central
For many, reaching 60 is itself a blessing. It is a time to look back at life—childhood, family, career, social service and give thanks. It is also a time to plan the future, focusing more on spiritual goals and noble deeds. Many people use this stage to promise themselves a life of service, humility, and inner peace.
Cultural and Social Impact
Such ceremonies are not only personal but also cultural. They remind younger generations about the value of traditions and how elders celebrate life milestones. They strengthen family ties, give respect to senior members, and highlight the importance of community. With the presence of a world record team, this event also becomes part of a larger story that may inspire others to preserve traditions in creative ways.
This Shashtipoorthi Mahayagna of Dr. Mehul Mashkaria is more than just a birthday event. It blends tradition, faith, and gratitude with family and community bonding. It shows how one milestone can be turned into a message of thanks to God, respect for culture, and a promise to live the rest of one’s life with health, purpose, and service.