Events

Chandragrahan – Lunar Eclipse

Chandra Grahan, a partial lunar eclipse, will take place on the night of December 31, 2009 and will end during the early hours of January 1, 2010.

Chandragrahan- Belt


The Chandra Grahan is a minor partial lunar eclipse and is visible in India, Nepal, Dubai, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and other places in Asia (eastern hemisphere).

Timings
The Chandragrahan will be taking place in India during night from 10:47 PM on December 31 and end at 02:58 AM on January 1, 2010.


Chandra Grahan and Hindus

Usually during a Chandra Grahan, a fast  is  in Hindu religion. The fast begins about 9 hours before the beginning of Chandra Grahan.

Mantras

Chant mantras dedicated to Lord Vishnu or Shiva like the Ashtakshara Mantra or Mrityunjaya Mantra.  Pregnant women chant the Santana Gopala Mantra.

Chant the Following mantra to weed of ill-effects

yOsou vajradharO dEva: AdityaanaaM prabhurmata:
chaMdragrahOparaagOtthagrahapIDaaM vyapOhatu
yOsou daMDadharO dEva: yamO mahiShavaahana:
chaMdragrahOparaagOttha grahapIDaaM vyapOhatu
yOsou shUladharO dEva: pinaakI vRuShavaahana:
chaMdragrahOparaagOtthagrahapIDaaM vyapOhatu








Why Temples remain closed during Chandra Grahan?

There is a legend associated with the fact that Temples remain closed during any Chandra Grahan or Surya Grahan.

According to Matsya Purana?, Lesson 251; during the phase of Samundra Manthan, Gods & Demons underwent a huge fight when Lord Dhanwantri appeared with Amrit in his hands.


To settle down this fight such that the Amrit goes to the Devas (Gods); Vishnu appeared as a beautiful Apsara (Mohini ) and took the Kalash (Pitcher) containing Amrit in his hands. He would make the Devas drink the Amrit and the Demons drink some ordinary water so as to lower down the ill effects of the Demons on the world.

One of the Demons called “SwarBhanu” saw this act of Lord Vishnu and went and sat with the Devas by forging & transforming himself as a Deva. While the demon SwarBhanu was having Amrit; Chandra & Surya saw it and brought it to Lord Vishnu's knowledge. Annoyed Vishnu Threw his chakra and warded off the demon's head but since he already had the Amrit, so he didn't die but his head and body got separated. His head was known as Rahu and rest of the body as Ketu.

Since it was Chandra & Surya who were the reasons for SwarBhanu's such condition. It is for this reason they are associated with the eclipse. Sun and Moon provide life and energy to the earth; also it is said that the idols in every temple are placed in such a position that the first rays of sun and moon touch their feet. Thus during the Grahan, the temples are remain closed so as to ward off any evil affecting the purity of the deities.

Chandragrahan - Rasi

This Eclipse occurs in Ardra Nakshatra, Mithuna Rashi, Hence people born in Ardra Nakshatra will have negative effects, hence it is advise that people born in Ardra Nakshatra need to worship Chandra & Ketu Idols & after puja

Effect of ChandraGrahan on various rashis


Shuba phala – Simha rashi, kanya rashi, makara rashi, mesha rashi

Mishra phala – Tula rashi, Dhanu rashi, Kumbha rashi, Vrushaba Rashi

Ashuba phala – Mithuna rashi, karka rashi, vRushchika rashi, meena rashi

Dos/Don’ts

Avoidable and recommendable works during Surya Grahan and Chandra Grahan:

It is advisable to avoid performing any important work or deal.

After Grahan, many Hindus perform ritual bath. Take meal only after the ritual bath.
Many Hindus observe fasting on the day of Surya or Chandra Grahanam.

Avoid outside food during grahanam.

Perform ritual bath, Puja, Japam, havan and all other rituals only after Grahan Moksh Kaal (the time when grahan is released).

Avoid eating at the time of Grahanam.

Avoid eating the food which is cooked before Grahan. Take the food which is cooked after Grahan. People can eat the food that is prevented from ‘Soothak’ (Ashouch). To prevent food from Soothak, just spill some til seeds or keep grass blades (Durva grass) on the food before grahan.

During Surya Grahan, reciting Surya Stotras such as Aditya Hridayam; Maha Mritunjaya Mantram and Vishnu Stotras is highly auspicious.