Makara Sankranthi - January 14, 2026

Dear Members:

The auspicious Makara Sankranthi (celebrated as Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu) falls on January 14, 2026 this year. We extend our best wishes to all readers of our blog on this occasion.

The Sankranthi punya kaalam is at 3:13 p.m. IST., on January 14, 2026.  Since this happens before sunset in  most parts of the world,  this is the day when Makara Sankranthi is to be observed (observed as Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu).  

Those living in far East countries like Japan, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries of the Oceania region must observe Sankranthi on Jan 15, 2026.

Kindly note that due to calculation differences, many Vaakya panchangams consider the sankranthi moment to be after sunset in India, and so might indicate Pongal to be celebrated on Jan 15, 2026.  BUT, per drik ganitha considerations, it is more correct to observe the Sankranthi related austerities on Jan 14, 2026 only, and we will be doing our austerities in this connection only in the period between 3:13 p.m. and sunset of Jan 14, 2026.

This is an auspicious day to propitiate Lord Surya (Sun God) - expressing our thanks for His Benevolence upon us in the previous year. Recital of Aditya Hrudayam, Surya Atharvaseersha upanishad, Suryaashtakam, etc. will help you to gain the Grace of the Supreme Almighty whose Radiance shines through Sun and various other stars in our galaxy(Though there are even brighter stars than Sun - it is the Sun whose rays benefit us on earth; and hence we offer our respects to Sun God; remember that we are offering our respects not merely to the visible Sun, BUT, to the sarvaantaryaami Paramaatma whose Infinite Radiance and Life-Sustaining/ Nurturing qualities are represented better by Sun's brilliance than any other thing that is immediately observable to human eyes on a daily basis). Worshipping Sun can ensure good health - shastras say "Aroghyam pradaatu Dinakarah:" Besides health, recital of Aaditya Hrudayam helps in improving professional prospects and winning over obstacles in life. Anyone who is facing seemingly daunting tasks in life can benefit by reciting Aaditya Hrudayam 9 times at a stretch as an emergency prayer. Similarly those suffering from skin ailments can benefit by reciting Surya Ashtakam (which benefitted Saambha - the Son of Lord Krishna).


May our members enjoy good health and dazzling tejas by the Grace of the Sun God.

Note:  Though Ekaadasi falls on Jan 15, 2026, since Sankraanthi happens this day which is an auspicious celebration, householders are recommended to observe this day as a festival rather than observe a full-fast.  Ekaadasi fast may be observed in a diluted way - by just avoiding ritually avoidable food items (like onion/ garlic, etc.), and may be just eating once on the Sankranthi day - i.e. after the poojas at the Sankranthi punya kaalam after 3:13 p.m. IST instead of observing a nirjala total fast as is done by deeply devout observers on Ekaadsasi.  

Blessed be.
Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI.

www.kasamba.com/psychic/pandit-dakshinamoorthi

Vaikunta ekaadasi - December 30/ December 31, 2025

(Image courtesy: www.bhagavad-gita.us)

Dear Members:

The most glorious and important of all Ekaadaasis - the Vaikunta Ekaadasi falls on December 30/ December 31, 2025. It is also observed as Putradaa ekaadasi of the vedic Pausha maasa this year (so auspicious day for fasting for couples who wish to conceive a child with noble qualities).

Schedule of observance of the fast for people living in various parts of the world:

a) Those living in U.S.A., Canada, and other countries of North and South American continents must observe this December 30, 2025l

b) Those living in all countries of Europe and African continent, and those living in all countires of Asia (including India), and observing Smaartha traditions must observe this on December 30, 2025. 

c) Those living in the above places and observing Sri Vaishnava traditions must observe this on December 31, 2025.

Note:  Though Pausha Putradaa ekaadasi related observances (vratam for progenic bliss) is to be observed in the above mentioned places on December 31, 2025 by those observing Vaishnava traditions, the rituals pertaining to Vaikunta Ekaadasi (like arranging Swarga/ Vaikunta Dwaara darshanam and night vigil meditating on Lord Vishnu) must be done by everyone in these places (countries of Europe, Africa, middle-east Asia, and Indian subcontinent countries) on December 30, 2025 itself.  Vaikunta Dwaara at Tirumala will be open on December 30, 2025.

d) Those living in countries of the Occeania region (South Pacific Ocean island countries), Australia, and New Zealand must observe this on December 31, 2025.

This is one of the most highly recommended fasts for a devout spiritual aspirant because it has the potential of opening the "Gates of Divine Abode of Lord Vishnu" for you if this is observed correctly. Even those who have medical conditions which prevent them from observing a full fast should abstain from rice-items and sustain themselves with alternative ritually pure foods (avoiding garlic, onions, beverages like coffee, tea, etc.). Those who are desirous of cutting off the endless cycle of births and deaths for the soul must contemplate on upanishads like Gopaala Taapini Upanishad, recite Holy Bhagavat Gita, Bhaagavatam, etc.

In Vaishnava temples "swarga Dwaar" - a sort of archway leading around the Inner Sanctum Sanctorum is erected, and crossing that is symbolic of crossing the threshold of Vaikunta and getting glimpse of our Lord. Spending time in meditation/ japam while waiting in the serpentine ques, and ultimately having the glimpse of Our Lord after crossing the threshold will definitely be gainful for your souls. Please note that you should not get angry with other devotees in the que or pick up fights, you should not "jump" ques trying to overtake the other waiting devotees with your "street smartness, pushing abilities", etc. in the que. Such activities definitely invoke bad karma, and it is not for that, that you go to a temple on a Holy Day (I am commenting on this because such activities are too common in long ques; a person who jumps ques thinking he is outsmarting others is actually fooling himself/ herself, and damning himself/ herself with that karma; on the other hand, those who wait patiently, and do what they can to help other devotees who might be finding it uncomfortable - like ladies with infants, elderly, etc. while standing in ques are invoking good karma and actually helping their own souls to progress. Selfishness and self-comfort should take a back-seat at least during these occasions - and that too for your own good! If you are entitled to temple honours in some way, and hence receive special darshan - that is different; you need not feel guilty about that; probably, you deserve such Honours and maybe, that was Divine Gift to you! But even such people - if you can, it will be real good merit to stand patiently in a que, do japams till your turn at darshan comes, and then have a darshan of the Lord along with the other common devotees because, God Himself may be in disguise among the masses during these occasions. I have felt it many times - and I request my fellow aspirants to feel such miracles of brushing shoulders with Divine in crowded temples for themselves!).

Generally, chanting of Raama naama, and recital of Shri Vishnu Sahasranaamam can be done by everyone today for obtaining religious merit, and for perfection/ progress of our Soul.

It is also recommended that you should remain awake at night and spend it in Divine Contemplation, bhajans (Divine Songs), discussing Theological matters, etc. It is traditional to play a dice game called "Paramapadham" on this night. You should not merely play it as a game....in the traditional Indian version of this game (the western version is Snake and Ladders!, and I am not referring to that when I write this article....), you will find "ladders" corresponding to various virtues, and "snakes" corresponding to certain shortcomings of attitude/ character....you can see where each ladder leads you, and where each snake drops you....look at the character/ attitude depicted in the box, see how progress/ downfall happens based on the ladder/ snake you encounter. This is verily a spiritual lesson of how a soul can progress or regress into various states of existence. It is analogous to the journey of your souls through the Cycle of Existence till the soul attains Liberation or Merging with Divine experience. You will also see how difficult it is to progress at the end of the game, and that is how difficult it is for a soul to reach ultimate liberation. If you play it consciously, reading all the attributes described in the chart carefully, this game can be a meditative exercise in itself, and can be a valuable tool for imparting spiritual values for children.

Of course, playing the paramapadam is not mandatory......it just helps you to keep awake and at the same time induce philosophical musings if played properly. Those of you who feel sufficiently spiritually awakened already may just spend the night in quiet Divine Contemplation which is best.

May our members observe this Holy day Fast diligently as per their circumstances and practical limitations to the best of their abilities and win salvation for their souls.

Blessed be.

Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI

Astrological and Remedial consultant

www.kasamba.com/psychic/pandit-dakshinamoorthi

Hanumath Jayanthi - DECEMBER 19, 2025

Dear Members:


Hanuman Jayanthi falls on December 19, 2025 this year per Tamil traditions. (Amavasya of Margazhi  month - Dhanur month, when Moola nakshatram also operates simultaneously on the morning of the day). 

There are other various versions for this observance also - some follow it on Chaitra Pournami (this is followed in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and some parts of North India. In North Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Hanumat Jayanthi is celebrated on Vaisakh Krishna dasami thithi. In Karnataka, Hanumath Jayanthi has been observed earlier this month. According to Tamil traditions, Hanumat Jayanthi is celebrated on the Amavasya thithi of the Tamil Month Maargazhi when Moola constellation rules. (for those of you who are from Siddha lineage of Sage Agasthya - there is another version which is not so popular as the other jayanthis! Agasthya Samhita gives Lord Hanuman's Birth details as Mesha lagna, Krishna chaturdasi thithi, Swaathi nakshatra, in the solar month of Karthigai)

The differences may pertain to different incarnations of Lord Hanumaan in different kalpas (the same Divine Events have occured in different kalpas with slight modifications and that is why you will find slight differences in version of some Divine Legends in various Puranas as they may refer to the events in different kalpas!). So, probably they are all correct in that they refer to His Jayanthi in different kalpas.

Another reason for the difference could be that each "Jayanthi" could refer to some significant "life-changing or rebirth sort of event" in Lord Hanuman's Incarnation.....like the first conception through Lord Vaayu's agency as a Rudraavataraa, His being revived by Divine Boons as a child (after He was struck by Vajraayudha when He tried to gobble the sun! thus it was a sort of second life for Him), His realizing His Divine Powers after Jaambhavaan alerts Him of the powers that He had forgotten due to the curse of rishis, His Incarnating as Panchamukha Hanumaan to tackle the challenges of Demons of the Netherworld, etc.

Generally for a devotee every day is of spiritual significance and so, these "special days" are just convenient Divine Excuses for showering additional devotion and for Divine Celebration with extra fervour! So, maybe, you can follow all those Jayanthis of the most Humble but Mighty Messenger of Lord Raam and celebrate His Incarnation thrice/ Four times a year!

In that spirit, even our brethren from North India, and other southern states may offer special worship to Lord Hanumaan on this day when their brother devotees from Tamil Nadu will be offering their respects and veneration to the Glorious Son of Vaayu.

Recital of Shri Hanumaan Chaalisaa, Sundara Kaandam chapters, AanjanEya sahasranaamam (reputed to be composed by Lord Raama Himself!), etc. are considered to be auspicious on this day.

Austerities at our place

Regular sponsors/ clients/ disciples who wish to be part of the austerities conducted on this holy day, may offer the part-sponsorship of Rs.1500 (rupees one thousand five hundred only) for the Hanumaan homam to be done at our Bangalore residence.  Kindly make the remarks :For Hanuman Jayanthi homam" while making the remittance and send me an email once the remittance is made for my reference.


May God's Grace be with us all. May the spirit of Service and Selfless Love and devotion to God embodied by Lord Hanuman pervade our psyches too!


Blessed be.

Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI
Astrological and Remedial consultant
dakshinastrologer@yahoo.co.in