Serving the Soul’s Evolution
The Celebration of Life Ceremony is a series of specific Vedic ceremonies offered to bless and serve a soul after death. The ceremonies are held over five days at the Sathya Sai Maa Shaktidhaam Ashram in Varanasi, India. Vedic priests perform them and energetically presided over by Her Holiness Sai Maa, who is energetically with you through every tender step of the process.
The Celebration of Life Ceremony is offered in honor of one soul, at any time up to 12 months after death. A designated representative, traditionally a close family member, must travel to India with the ashes of the departed to participate in the ceremony. The entire family can participate through a Telegram channel where you will receive photos and recordings of each ceremony. Important Note: Every yagya moving forward will carry the energy of the Yagyas performed at the Kumbh.
The first rituals performed include the recitation of mantras as the ashes are ceremoniously blended with five sacred elements and then offered to the holy Ganges river. This first stage is the act of returning the body to the earth and infusing it with the light of Mother Ganga.
The first day continues with a ceremony that includes the ritualistic offering of 18 symbolic items on behalf of the departed soul. This final act of charity of the soul in this life serves to cleanse the soul’s karma.
On days two through four, yagyas (sacred fire ceremonies) are performed, uplifting the soul into the higher realms through the recitation of the thousand names of Lord Vishnu. The yagyas infuse the soul’s energy and karma with the vibration of divine consciousness.
The Celebration of Life Ceremony culminates with a bhandara, or feast, offered in the name of the departed to the Vedic priests and hundreds of local community members, including children and people of all ages. In the Indian tradition, feeding others is seen as a great act of service or karma yoga. This final celebratory stage of the ceremony is offered as the last act of the soul on this plane to bring joy and fulfillment to others.
Includes 5 days of ceremonies and all materials
*Does not include transportation of ashes to India or travel/accommodations for person traveling with ashes
These testimonials, from those who have organized Celebration of Life ceremonies on behalf of their loved one, give a deeply moving glimpse into the power of serving another soul in this way.
If you wish to plan for a Celebration of Life Ceremony for yourself, please read the information below on how to include it in your estate planning. Please note, we do not take registration for future ceremonies, only for those who have already passed away.
I have done a number of other Yagyas for deceased loved ones and pretty much across the board felt that it was a tremendous gift for me – for them to have this opportunity to connect Soul to Soul in this way. It really was a profound experience and felt like such a pure gift of love that I was able to give them. It really was a source of Joy and comfort for me to be able to do this.
~ Alicia Nemec
If you wish to honor someone who has transitioned over 12 months ago or whose ashes you don’t have access to, you may choose a Transitioning from the Body Yagya. This yagya serves the evolution of that soul, and can be particularly powerful for those who experienced a traumatic death, such as suicide or murder.