Eclipses in August 2008

The solar eclipse on August 1, 2008 begins at 1-34 p.m. and ends at 6-08 p.m. (The timings are given in IST; kindly check NASA website for local circumstances of the eclipse pertaining to your location). If the eclipse end is not visible at your place, you should fast throughout the night, and break the fast only after sighting the sunrise on August 2, 2008, after taking a ritual bath.

Those born in birth stars of Punarvasu, Pushya, Aslesha, Anuradha, Uttarabhadra should perform eclipse remedy for the kethu-grastha soorya grahanam under guidance of vedic experts.

The lunar eclipse on August 16/17, 2008 (it will be early morning of August 17th as per modern calendars). The duration of the eclipse is from 1-06 a.m. (on August 17th) IST to 4-15 a.m. IST (On August 17th, 2008). If the eclipse end is not seen (this happens for eastern Asian countries/ South East Asian countries), you should fast throughout August 17th, 2008 and break the fast after sighting the moon on the evening of August 17, 2008. If the eclipse end is visible in your area, you can take the ritual bath at the end of the eclipse and carry on your normal routines as usual.

Those born in birth stars of Dhanishta, Sravana, Satabishak, Mrigasira, and Chitra stars should undergo Rahu Grastha Chandra Grahanam on August 16/ 17, 2008 by consultation with vedic experts in your area.

Blessed be.

Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI.