Ugra Ratha Shanti Homam

Turning 60 years of age is a major milestone in Hindu culture. It is regarded as completing a full life cycle. Many Hindus celebrate this auspicious occasion by performing a powerful Vedic ritual called

Ugra Ratha Shanti Homam.

Through this ceremony, one expresses gratitude to god and seeks divine blessings for good health, longevity, and spiritual wellness as they begin this new phase of life. The ritual’s name evokes its power and purpose. "Ugra" denotes ‘intense energy, "Ratha" means ‘chariot’ (of life's journey), and "Shanti" means peace. Thus, Ugra Ratha Shanti Homam is performed for gaining peace and all-round well-being as one completes their sixth decade on earth.

It is not a mere birthday celebration, but a very spiritual ceremony based on Vedic principles. It acknowledges the experience and wisdom one acquired over six decades. It is a time to reflect on the journey one has traversed so far, render gratitude for one’s blessings, and invoke god’s grace for a good future.

This auspicious ritual is a grand and joyous affair in the extended family's presence. At 60, one has successfully completed a full cycle of planetary influences delineated in one's Vedic horoscope. The Navagrahas (9 planets) have completed their orbits and influenced the person’s life, creating a unique patchwork of karmic experiences.

Performing Ugra Ratha Shanti Homam at this juncture acknowledges this key milestone. Further, it solicits divine blessings to navigate the chapters of life yet to unfold. The 60th birthday is very significant in Hinduism. Hindus believe that it represents a major transition in life.  One becomes more contemplative and spiritually inclined during this phase of existence. Ugra Ratha Shanti Homam can help one achieve spiritual goals like inner peace, harmony, and happiness following a long and eventful life journey.

The Ugra Ratha Shanti Homam takes place when a Hindu male enters his 60th year of life. The person is given an Abishekam of holy water when he completes his 59th year. This ritual commemorates his final year of Vedic cycles and resolves all sins and bad karma.

Ugra Ratha Shanti Homam is performed to gain divine blessings for well-being, prosperity, and good health. Sashtiaptha Poorthi and Shasthi Poorti ceremonies for men come before this Homam.

When a human attains 60 years, they enter a critical life period. The person has left youth and middle age behind and is entering old age when he becomes a senior citizen. Old age brings with it a loss of energy and health. Immunity decreases, and illness begins to strike often. The belief is that, by performing Ugra Ratha Shanti Homam, the person will remain strong and healthy and navigate the 6th decade of his life smoothly. If the person’s spouse is alive, the spouse will also be part of the ceremony.

The Ugra Ratha Homam can bestow good health and strength, both mental and physical. On the day the man completes his 59th birthday, the Homam is performed to invoke divine blessings, cleanse their karma, and protect them from future hardships.

Ugra Ratha Shanti Homam Rituals

During the Ugra Ratha Shanti Homam, priests conduct certain rituals, like Ganapati Homam, Ayush Homam, and Navagraha Homam.

Family members give the man or the couple an Abishekam with holy water to celebrate the last year of their Vedic cycle and to remove bad karma and negative energies.

People taking part in this Homam are those who have already completed their Shashtiabda Poorti. They bless the couple, and the couple, in turn, blesses the younger generation.

Significance of Ugra Ratha Shanthi Homam

The pandit decides the date of the Homam based on one’s birth year, month, and star day. After checking the birth chart, the pandit will choose an auspicious day to perform the Homam. 

One can perform the Homam on one’s birth star day, too. The belief is that when one enters the 60th year, Ugra Ratha unfolds in their lives and will affect it for 6 months.

On completing this Homam, one gains release from social, secular, and spiritual commitments.

Pooja Samagri for Ugra Ratha Shanthi Homam

• Turmeric Powder
• Kumkum
• Sandalwood Paste/Powder
• Agar Bathi (Incense Sticks)
• Camphor
• Betel Leaves/ Betel Nuts
• Garlands
• Flowers and Fruits
• Coconuts
• Honey
• Milk/Ghee
• Coins
• Sugar
• Dhothi
• Dry Fruits
• Sweets
• Lamp
• Oil
• Matchbox
• Cotton wicks
• Kalasam
• 5 small cups
• New clothes

Pooja Vidhi

Ugra Ratha Homam can alleviate the harsh nature of time that follows after 60 years of age. The ceremony’s aim is to ensure that the couple will have physical stamina, good health, and mental acuity as they continue to age further, so that they can lead a long and healthy life. 

There are 3 approaches for this ceremony:

Saunakoktam

Bodhayanoktam

Shivaga Moktam

Ideally, the ceremony should take place on the person’s birth date based on the Hindu Panchang. It is usually performed at a temple, pilgrimage site, a riverbank, or even at home.

The ritual is Partpara Pooja, which honors the deities Ganapati, Durga, and Vishu are worshipped. The priests then invoke the Dikpalakas (presiding deities of the Directions), deities of the oceans, rivers, and the Navagrahas, into the Kalash and do Pooja to them.

People worship the gods that rule each year of the Hindu calendar (60 years), Ayana (Uttara, Dakshina), season, month (12 months),  fortnight (Shukla and ka), tithi (15), day of the week, stars (27 stars), yoga, Karana, and Rasi.

Once the Homam concludes, Ritviks and Acharyas take the holy water and perform Abishekam (hydration) to the householder, who then gives alms. The Shanti Yagya honors the Ritviks and Acharyas by giving them dasa danas (10 donations).

Benefits of Ugra Ratha Shanti Homam

• The person will enjoy longevity and relief from physical ailments.
• The man gains happiness and peace.
• Relief from malefic effects of planets.
• Protection of one’s Kula-Devatha and other deities.
• Wish-fulfillment.
• Nullifies all kinds of Doshas affecting health in one’s horoscope.
• It bestows well-being, health, happiness, and prosperity for the whole family.
• Removes negative energy and sins.
• Removes Doshas related to finances, property disputes, and family disputes.

Conclusion

Ugra Ratha Shanti Homam is a very powerful and ancient ritual in Hinduism. Hindus perform it on their 59th birthday. They perform the Homam to seek divine blessings for longevity, peace, good health, happiness, and prosperity.