Sri Deva Sthanam

The Hindu Months

admin — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:14:46 +0000

The Hindu Months In Hindu astrology, as in Western astrology, the zodiac is divided into twelve signs (rasis). Each of the twelve signs is in thirty degree segment of the full zodiac. In addition to the twelve signs, the Hindu zodiac is further divided into twenty-seven naksatras or lunar mansions. Each naksatra is a thirteen degree and twenty minute segment of the zodiac. Specifically…

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Pancanga–The Hindu Almanac

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:07:39 +0000

Astronomy Pancanga–The Hindu Almanac (DRAFT) “Time creates the sky and the earth. Time creates that past and the future. By Time the sun burns, through Time all beings exist, in Time the eyes see. Time is the lord of all.” This verse from the Atharva-veda (19.54) expresses the importance of time in Hindu culture. In India time […]

Makara Sankranti

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:11:03 +0000

Most dates on the Hindu calendar are based on the movements of the Moon and not the Sun. For this reason the Hindu calendar is a lunar calendar. One exception to this is Makara Sankranti which is calculated according to solar movements and so always takes place on January 14th. Makara refers to the Makara rashi which is the sign of the zodiac corresponding to Capricorn. Sankranti means “to cross…

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Rahu and Ketu–The Invisible Planets

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:48:48 +0000

Why do Hindus believe that the mythological demons Rahu and Ketu cause solar eclipses? In Hindu mythology there is a wonderful story that describes how the gods and the demons once formed an alliance to produce a nectar that could give them immortality. This is the story of the churning of the milk-ocean and the descent of Lord Visnu as the Kurma avatara, the divine tortoise.

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