60th Marriage Celebration at Thirukadaiyur – Costs & Booking Procedure
Celebrate your 60th wedding anniversary (Sashtiapthapoorthi) at 60th marriage Thirukadaiyur: explore the ceremony meaning, cost packages, booking procedure and dress code.
Brief Summary (Points Only)
- Significance of a 60th wedding anniversary (Sashtiapthapoorthi)
- Overview of the Thirukadaiyur temple and why it is chosen
- Detailed cost packages for the 60th marriage ceremony
- Booking procedure and important guidelines (dress code, timings)
- Pro tips & FAQs to make your celebration smooth
The milestone of a 60th wedding anniversary, often referred to in South Indian tradition as Sashtiapthapoorthi, holds deep significance. It marks a couple having completed 60 years of married life and is a time for blessing, renewal and celebration. One of the most auspicious venues to hold this ceremony is the ancient temple at Thirukadaiyur.
Contents
Why Choose Thirukadaiyur for the 60th Marriage Ceremony?
Located in Tamil Nadu near Mayiladuthurai and Chidambaram, the temple of Amritaghateswarar‑Abirami Temple at Thirukadaiyur is renowned for performing special milestone ceremonies like the 60th and 81st marriages. The legend of the temple connects to the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) and the pot of “Amrita” (nectar of immortality), which was said to be poured over the Shiva Lingam here. This gives the venue a belief of longevity and blessing.
Families celebrate the 60th wedding anniversary here to invoke divine grace, longevity and prosperity.
Understanding the Ceremony: What Happens
The 60th marriage ceremony at Thirukadaiyur typically spans two days:
-
Day 1: Homams (fire rituals) including Ganapathi Homam, Navagraha Homam, Mrityunjaya Homam, Ayul Homam (for long life), Dhanvantri Homam (health), and more.
-
Day 2: The special Shashtiapthapoorthi Shanti Homam along with other rituals. The ceremony concludes with the couple receiving Kalasha water (holy pot water) poured over them, signifying purification and renewal.
Dress code and timing: The Pooja time is usually between 6:00 am and 11:00 am. Men are expected to wear a dhoti and upper cloth, and women to wear a saree.
Cost Packages for 60th Marriage at Thirukadaiyur
Below are some sample packages (costs as per available data) for the ceremony at Thirukadaiyur:
| Package Description | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|
| Rudram + Two Kala with 64 Kalasa Pooja + Ganga Pooja | 52,000 |
| Swami Ambal Thiru Kalyanam + Two Kala + 64 Kalasa Pooja | 52,000 |
| Ganga Pooja with Two Kala + 64 Kalasa Pooja | 37,000 |
| Ganga Pooja + Thiruvillaku Pooja + Two Kala + 32 Kalasa Pooja | 37,000 |
| Two Kala + 16 Kalasa Pooja + Ganga Pooja | 17,000 |
| One-day 16 Kalasa Pooja | 10,000 |
| Special One-day 16 Kalasa Pooja | 16,000 |
| Special One-day 32 Kalasa Pooja | 20,000 |
| Special One-day 64 Kalasa Pooja | 25,000 |
Important note: The cost varies depending upon number of Kalasas (holy water pots) and number of Vedic priests employed for chanting. The more elaborate the ritual, the higher the cost.
Booking Procedure – Step by Step
- Choose a suitable date based on the couple’s nakshatra (birth star) – the Shashtiapthapoorthi date is determined accordingly.
- Select the appropriate package depending upon budget and ceremony scale.
- Contact the temple office (Amritaghateswarar‐Abirami Temple) to confirm availability of priests, Kalasas and date.
- Pay booking deposit and provide required details (couple’s names, birth stars, desired pooja time).
- On the day of ceremony:
- Arrive early (before 6 am) to complete rituals smoothly.
- Adhere to dress code: men in dhoti + upper cloth, women in saree.
- Bring new dress for day-2 change after Kalasa water bath.
- Coordinate with the temple on any additional offerings (flowers, prasadam, photography).
- After the ceremony, you may optionally organise prasadam distribution, family lunch, and souvenir photographs.
Pro Tips for a Smooth Celebration
- Book in advance: Popular dates may get booked early especially in festival seasons.
- Check for inclusions: Confirm how many Kalasas are included, number of priests, and if Ganga Pooja/Thiruvillaku features are included.
- Arrange for accommodation: Thirukadaiyur is a small town; ensure nearby lodging is reserved for out-of-town guests.
- Photography & videography: Make prior arrangements – many temples allow external videographers with permission.
- Celebrate with family: Since it’s a major milestone, consider inviting extended family and plan a small family gathering or photo-shoot.
- Keep garments ready: Carry spare dress, traditional attire and necessary pooja items.
- Plan transportation: Especially if coming from outside Tamil Nadu – nearby airports/railway stations should be considered.
Key Takeaways
- The 60th wedding anniversary (Sashtiapthapoorthi) at Thirukadaiyur is both a spiritual and celebratory milestone.
- Ceremony usually spans two days with multiple Homams and concluding Kalasa water ritual.
- Cost packages vary widely depending on ritual scale; sample costs range from ₹10,000 to ₹52,000.
- Booking requires early planning, package selection, dress code compliance and coordination with temple administration.
- Advance planning ensures the event remains joyous, smooth and spiritually meaningful.
FAQs
Q1: Can the ceremony be completed in one day?
Yes – there are one-day packages (such as the 16 Kalasa pooja option) which allow the main ritual to be completed in a single day.
Q2: Are non-Hindu guests allowed to attend?
Generally yes, but it is polite to adhere to the temple dress code and protocol; confirm with temple office for specific rules.
Q3: What is “Kalasa Pooja”?
Kalasa refers to a holy metal pot filled with sacred water and adorned with mango leaves & coconut. The ritual involves invoking blessings using the water. The number of Kalasas reflects the magnitude of the ceremony.
Q4: Can we customise the package or add extra Homams?
Yes – many families choose to add extra Homams or expand the number of Kalasas. That will typically increase cost.
Q5: What is the significance of Thiruvillaku and Ganga Pooja?
-
Thiruvillaku: A lamp-worship ritual symbolising light and spiritual illumination.
-
Ganga Pooja: Veneration of goddess Ganga or invoking sacred water symbolism. Both add to the sanctity of the event.
Author: Vijaya Durga Pemmasani
References & Helpful Links
- 60th Marriage Thirukadaiyur Cost Booking Procedure – Prayanamam
- Amritaghateswarar-Abirami Temple (Thirukadaiyur) – Wikipedia