On a serene Thursday morning, the sacred grounds of the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu reverberated with chants and devotion as Chhatra Bhatt Mitra Mandal Nepal, a youth organization, conducted a Panchaamrut Vishesh Puja to mark the 30th birthday of Anant Mukesh Ambani, the youngest son of Indian business tycoon Mukesh Ambani.
The special puja, held at one of the holiest Hindu shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, was a heartfelt gesture to pray for Anant’s long, healthy, successful, and harmonious life.
The Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled on the banks of the Bagmati River, has been a spiritual epicenter for Hindus for centuries. Its sprawling complex, encompassing 518 mini-temples and a main pagoda housing the revered Shiva linga, draws devotees from across the globe.
The temple’s history dates back to the Licchavi period, with its current form largely shaped by renovations in 1692 CE after earlier structures succumbed to termites and earthquakes.
Known for its strict traditions—only four priests, typically Karnataka Brahmins, can touch the deity—the temple’s sanctity made it a fitting venue for this significant puja.
Chhatra Bhatt, a key member of the youth group, spoke passionately about the inspiration behind the event.
“The youth of Nepal are deeply impressed by Anant Ambani’s padyatra of 180 km from Jamnagar to Dwarkadhish in Dwarka, his food distribution initiatives during the Mahakumbh Mela for needy pilgrims, and his Vantara project for animal rehabilitation,” he said.
“We feel he is a man who loves humanity and follows it through his heart and work.” Anant’s Vantara initiative, a sprawling animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Gujarat, has garnered global attention for its efforts to protect endangered species, reflecting his commitment to environmental and social causes.
The Panchaamrut Vishesh Puja, a ritual involving offerings of five sacred substances—milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar—to the deity, was performed with meticulous care. The ceremony, attended by prominent members of the group including Kashi Koirala, Navin Adhikary, Ram Prasad Bhandari, Tej Prasad Bhandari, Ayush Khatiwada, Girish Khatiwada, Awash, and Yam Tiwari, symbolized gratitude and blessings for Anant’s contributions.
The temple’s western entrance, the main gateway to the courtyard, welcomed the group as they joined thousands of devotees who visit daily, especially during auspicious occasions.
This event also underscores the deep cultural ties between Nepal and India, with Pashupatinath serving as a bridge for shared spiritual values.Today’s puja, however, was a moment of unity, reflecting the temple’s enduring role as a beacon of faith.
Anant Ambani, who turned 30 on April 10, 2025, has increasingly stepped into the spotlight, not just as a scion of Reliance Industries but as a philanthropist with a vision. The Nepal youth’s gesture at Pashupatinath highlights how his actions resonate far beyond India, cementing his image as a global humanitarian.