Bhima ratha shanti -70th Birthday
70th birthday is celebrated as “Bhima ratha shanti“. Rituals similar to 60th birthday are conducted (including joyous activities like tying another mangala sutra). 80th birthday (or seeing 1000 Pournamis)is celebrated with kanaka Abhishekam (showering gold coins on the person who has attained 80 years)in addition to the usual shanti homams.
But, if the spouse of the person is not living, ONLY the shanti karmas for longevity of the person and for the welfare of the family members are performed and the function is conducted in a solemn fashion. If the spouse of the person is alive, then the function is celebrated more as a marriage in a joyous atmosphere.
Celebrating these landmarks is the prerogative of the offsprings and younger family members of the person who has attained these ages. The couple during such occasions are believed to be embodiments of the Divine Couples like Uma-Maheswara, Lakshmi-Narayana, etc. and seeking their blessings during those occasions is auspicious. It is believed that their goodluck will rub on you and will wipe away many doshas
that could be latent in your horoscope.
There are persons who opt for performance of the shanti homams in India even if they happen to live abroad. They conduct the festivities abroad, but on the same day, they request pandits like us to perform shanti homams in India because India is the karma bhoomi where performance of rituals gives the maximum benefit. The mere sankalpam done on the name of the person gives him/ her the benefit that could result in direct participation if there are genuine reasons for inability to come in person.
According to Mantra Shastra, “Sapta Maatruka Homam”-a grand homam which is very powerful, can be done ONLY if a prasnam gives you clearance for the performance on usual days; But this homam can be performed on the day when a person attains 60th, 70th or 80th birthdays without getting clearance from DEva Prasnam. The performance of this homam will eradicate sins and doshas in the family arising due to neglect of Kula Devata and all negativities in life.
The above mentioned are the vedic and Mantrik methods of celebration. Now-a-days, people also organize these celebrations in places like Thirukadaiyur Abhirami Amman temple. The temple authorities, I am told, help you to organize these functions on payment of nominal amounts and they take care of everything.
Source:
http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/vedic-astrology-jyotisha/
358955-special-celebrations-occasion-70th-80th-birthdays.html
