Blog posts tagged with 'beginning of shraadh or shradh or pitra paksh'

Indian festivals are correlated with Astrology or Jyotish (movement of Moon & Sun in the sky). Most festivals are based upon the phase of Moon in a particular Indian month (or maah) & paksha (or fortnight). A few like Lohari & Baisakhi are based upon the transition of Sun from one rashi to another (saur sankranti). Lohri comes on Makar Sankranti (it means when Sun enters in the sign of Capricorn or Makar) & Baisakhi comes on Maish Sankranti (it means when Sun enters in the sign of Aries or Maish). It is surprising to learn that most great saints & philosophers of India like Budh, Ved Vyas, Nanak, Balmiki, Kabir & Ravidas have taken birth on Poornimas or Full Moon days. Poorna Kumbha Mela in Haridwar takes place whenever Jupiter enters the sign of Aquarius (Kumbh rashi) & Sun enters the sign of Aries (Maish rashi). Ardh Kumbha takes place whenever Jupiter enters the sign of Leo (Singh rashi) & Sun enters the sign of Aries (Maish rashi).