The annual Panchayat Yaga, a revered eight-day Vedic ceremony, unfolded from December 23 to 29, 2025, at Shri Sadguru Baba Maharaj Sahasrabuddhe Samadhi Mandir in Pune. Devotees gathered in large numbers to immerse themselves in ancient rituals, engaging in spiritual harmony and cultural preservation.
The event consists of sacred Vedic practices, including recitations of Ganesha Atharvashirsha, Brahmanspati Sukta, Panchasukta Pavamana, Vishnu Sukta, Vishnu Sahasranama, Rudra Sukta, Rudra, Manyu Sukta, Saura Sukta, Shri Sukta, Devi Sukta, and Saptashati Path. Recitation of Shrimad Bhagavat, Shrimad Adhyatma Ramayana, and the Samhitas of the four Vedas, Shri Satyadatta Puja, Shri Ganesh Sahasranama, Shri Vishnu Sahasranama, Shri Shiva Sahasranama, Shri Devi Sahasranama, and Shri Surya Sahasranama. Throughout the days, the air resonated with devotees chanting “Shri Swami Samarth Jaya Jaya Swami Samarth” while reciting holy sacred books.
On December 28, when the ‘Vedvedang Chakravarti Vedmurti Late Dattatreya Pandurang Kinjavadekar Guruji and Yadnikpravar Vedmurti Late Laxmanrao Vinayak Sapre Guruji Smriti Samiti’ felicitated Vedmurti Gore Guruji and Shri Hude (shehnai artist) for their notable contributions. This annual memorial ceremony, organized by the disciples of the late gurus, honors societal achievers with shawl, shriphal, honorarium, and medal. Presided over by Shri Kamlesh Joshi, the event welcomed chief guest Vedmurti Yogeshwar Borkar and chief trustee Shri Vikasrao Walawalkar. It began with Ishastavana (prayer to God).
The main highlight was the rare Shraut Ishti rituals, led by Agnihotri Ketan Shahane Guruji, one of India’s few practitioners upholding continuous Agnihotra. Spanning five days, these elaborate yadynas, Pavitreshti for purification, Ayushkameshti for longevity, Mitravindeshti for harmony, Sangnyaneshti for knowledge and prosperity, and Swastyayaneshti for well-being, were conducted by four Ritvijs on consecrated fires (Garhapatya, Dakshinagni, Ahavaniya). Offerings accompanied mantras concluding in “Vashatkara,” invoking Agni as the divine messenger to deities like the supreme Vishnu. These Smaart and Shraut ceremonies underscore lifelong penance, Vedic preservation, and paths to public welfare and divine grace.
The Panchayat Yaga continues to inspire devotees, blending timeless rituals with contemporary recognition of excellence.
