black moon

Surya Grahan, solar eclipse, is widely mentioned in the Holy Scriptures of Hinduism. There is also an interesting myth regarding the occurrence of Surya Grahan. It happened during the Samdura Manthan (churning of ocean) episode in the Puranas. Rahu (Demon) and Mohini, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, are the main characters in the incident.

The Amrit (elixir) that was obtained from churning the ocean was cunningly stolen by Ausras (Demons). Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini, a beautiful damsel, to win back the Amrit. She achieved her mission by enamoring the Asuras, they fell for her beauty and handed over the Amrit to her.

Mohini returned to the Devas and started distributing it. Devas sat in a line and mohini gave a portion to each one of them. Rahu, an Asura, who found out that they were tricked took the form a Deva and sat in the line between Chandra (Moon God) and Surya (Sun God).

When Mohini approached Rahu, Chandra and Surya realized that Rahu was not one among them and soon identified him as an Asura. Mohini soon severed the head of Rahu which flew into the sky. Rahu's, depicted in the form of a Snake head occasionally, continued to live and decided to avenge Surya and Chandra.

Thus periodically Rahu engages in a war with Surya and Chandra. The Chandra Grahan (Lunar eclipse) and Surya Grahan (Solar eclipse) takes place when Rahu gobbles up Moon and Sun respectively. Surya and Chandra then fights to free themselves.

In Hinduism, the reason for the Surya Grahan and Chandra Grahan (Solar and Lunar Eclipse) is the myth associated with Rahu gobbling up Sun (Surya) and Moon (Chandra).

Fasting (Upvaas) is done by certain communities in Hindu religion during Chandra Grahanam. The fast begins about 9 hours before the beginning of Chandra Grahan. People also take a bath in cold and chant mantras dedicated to Lord Vishnu or Shiva like the Ashtakshara Mantra or Mrityunjaya Mantra. This is done whenever Surya and Chandra are under the influence of Rahu.

Since the Chandra Grahan on August 17, 2008 is taking place at night and early morning most people will not see it and therefore it is not going to have any major effect.

Originally posted by: *Simran*

what is chand ghiran ( back moon) why do people believe in it ?

In astronomy, the term black moon is neither well known nor frequently used. As a consequence it has no accepted definition, but seems to have occasionally been applied to at least four different situations:

1. the absence of a new moon or dark moon in a calendar month;
2. the absence of a full moon in a calendar month;
3. either the third or the fourth new moon or dark moon in a season that has four of them (a season normally has only three). This is in analogy to the term blue moon which is the third full moon in a season that has four;
4. the second occurrence of a dark moon or new moon in a calendar month; this in analogy to another use of the term blue moon which sometimes is applied to the second full moon in a calendar month.

A black moon by the first meaning can only occur in February, with the next taking place (according to UTC) in 2014. In that year January and March will each have a a second full moon (sometimes called a blue moon).

The most recent black moon in the third meaning of the term occurred in the northern summer of 2006, with the third new moon of the season on August 23 (19:10 UTC) and the fourth on September 22 (11:45 UTC). The autumnal equinox occurs on September 23 (04:03 UTC).

The next black moon in the fourth meaning of the term, which can occur in any month except February, is set to occur on August 30, 2008 (19:58 UTC). The last event occurred on December 31, 2005 (03:12 UTC).

wowww gracie wot an info u provided dear thnks

Originally posted by: *Simran*

thks

it happened on the day of raksha bandhan it was told not to tie rakhi on this day ... heard if expecting u r not r not allowed to do any work nor see the moon, wht other things would happen with it and what should u avoid doing on this day ..