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ECLIPSE: Diwali to be Celebrated a Day Ahead
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Subject: ECLIPSE: Diwali to be Celebrated a Day Ahead
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From: jai@mantra.com (Dr. Jai Maharaj)
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Date: 9 Oct 1995 18:31:02 GMT
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Approved: srh <srh@rbhatnagar>
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Article: 352 of soc.religion.hindu
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Newsgroups: soc.religion.hindu
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Organization: Mantra Corporation, USA
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Reply-To: "Dr. Jai Maharaj" <jai@mantra.com>
Diwali to be Celebrated a Day Ahead
INDIAN EXPRESS
September 26, 1995
NEW DELHI: Diwali has been moved forward by one day this year to avoid
clashing with the solar eclipse, considered inauspicious for a
religious event. What was to have been celebrated on Tuesday, Oct. 24,
will now be observed on Monday, Oct 24 -- the pundits have decreed. The
Hindu New Year, consequently, will also move back by one day.
The religious scholars have moreover, imposed a deadline for
ending Diwali festivities, which is certain to act as a damper on the
spirit of the occasion. According to them, it will have to be "lights
out" at 7.25 p.m on Monday evening since the eclipse commences at that
time and will continue till 9.50 am. Believers are expected to stop
fireworks by early evening on Diwali, although the dictum may be rather
difficult to enforce on enthusiasts.
The convergence of Diwali and a solar eclipse is a most unusual
occurence. Logically, however, it is not at all improbable since Diwali
has to necessarily fall on "amavas", that is no-moon day, while solar
eclipse occur only when the moon is hidden from the earth's view. The
coincidence has, neverthless caused a great deal of excitement in
astrological circles with pundits offering diverse opinions about its
implications.
A solar eclipse is considered inauspicious by astrologers who
say it represents an evil force. The Sun God, therefore, has to be
propitiated to ensure that ho harm comes to people. Scientists concur
that during a solar eclipse certain rays are emanated from the sun
which could be harmful, particularly to the human eye.
In the last two days, there appears to have been a renewed
interest in configuring the significance of Diwali coinciding with a
solar eclipse. This is an obvious fallout of the recent "milk miracle"
throughout India and parts of the world.
In the new atmosphere of religiosity, attention has naturally
turned to the impending cosmic phenomenon with believers flocking to
astrologers in larger numbers. Commercially, soothsayers, never had it
so good. They are bing heard with great reverence even as they try to
explain such inexplicable occurences.
The general trend of astrological opinion is that the recent
events presage well for the country and there is nothing to be
particularly alarmed about the coincidence of Diwali with Solar
eclipse.
The shifting of Diwali will ensure that festivities would not
be affected even if they are slightly curtailed.
Astrologers are doing brisk business at many temples,
prophesying the fate of their clients in connections with the impending
eclipse. Mr Ramakant Jha, head priest of the Durga Mandir at Saket, for
instance, confidently asserts that while it augurs particularly well
for those born under Taurus, Leo, Sagittarius and Capricorn, those born
under the signs of Aries, Virgo, Gemini and Aquarius could look forward
to a modest improvement in fortunes. Cancerians, Librans and Scorpians
and Pisceans, on the other hand may come under adverse influences.
Courtesy of Narotham Reddy
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Jai Maharaj <jai@mantra.com> Jyotishi, Vedic Astrologer *-=Om Shanti=-*
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