There is a lunar eclipse coming up on the 4th of April, 2015. The timing varies from place to place. The timings in the metros are :
Mumbai - 18:56 to 19:15
Delhi -18:42 to 19:15
Calcutta - 17:53 to 19:15
Chennai- 18:22 to 19:15
Those born in the following rashis and nakshatras are affected by this eclipse.
Rashis.
Vrishabha, Mithuna, Simha, Kanya, Tula, Makara and Kumbha.
Nakshatras
Rohini, Sravana and Hasta ( very severe ).
The importance of eclipse is of dual nature. It is considered that impurity similar to one observed at childbirth is present during this period.
One should not be taking food from nine hours prior to the commencement of eclipse till its end. Food cooked before eclipse should not be consumed afterwards.
The eclipse period is considered very auspicious for ritual bath, and daanam.
While taking a dip at Ganga is most auspicious , the dharmashastra says that every source of water has presence of Ganga in it during eclipse. Try to take a dip if you are close to any of the sacred rivers.
It is also said that all brahmins are like Brahma during eclipse ( irrespective of their merit ) and all daanam is equivalent to bhumi daanam .
One who does not take bath during eclipse will be born a leper in the next seven births.
All acts performed at the beginning of the eclipse acquire punya a hundred thousand times. Take bath as soon as the eclipse starts. All acts performed during the eclipse acquire merit a crore times. Spend the entire duration by chanting mantras in which you are initiated like Shiva Panchakshari. Acts performed at the end of eclipse bring endless punya. Perform daanam at the end after taking bath again.
Those who are affected by the eclipse should especially perform daanam to ward off its ill effects. A statue of naga made in gold weighing 8/4/2 grams is what is prescribed.
The following is a prayer used while taking bath and performing daanam.
योऽसौ वज्रधरो देव आदित्यानां प्रभुर्मतः ।
सहस्रनयनश्चन्द्रग्रहपीडां व्यपोहतु ॥
मुखं यस्सर्वदेवानां सप्तर्चिरमितद्युतिः ।
चन्द्रोपरागसंभूतामग्निः पीडां व्यपोहतु ॥
यः कर्मसाक्षी लोकानां यमो महिषवाहनः ।
चन्द्रसूर्योपरागोत्थां ग्रहपीडां व्यपोहतु ॥
रक्षोगणाधिपस्साक्षात् प्रलयानिलसन्निभः ।
करालो निरृतिश्चन्द्रग्रहपीडां व्यपोहतु ॥
नागपाशधरो देवो नित्यं मकरवाहनः ।
सलिलाधिपतिश्चन्द्रग्रहपीडां व्यपोहतु ॥
प्राणरूपोहि लोकानां वायुः कृष्णमृगप्रियः ।
चन्द्रोपरागसंभूतां ग्रहपीडां व्यपोहतु ॥
योऽसौ निधिपतिर्देवः खड्गशूलधरो वरः ।
चन्द्रोपरागसंभूतां कलुषं मे व्यपोहतु ॥
योऽसौ शूलधरो रुद्रश्शङ्करो वृषवाहनः ।
चन्द्रोपरागजं दोषं विनाशयतु सर्वदा ॥
Pitrutarpana during grahana should be performed during the grahana itself before moksha.
For the rationalists and "scientists" - We also know that it is not a snake swallowing Moon and statements like " Rahu and Ketu are not even planets", " There can't be any poison in the atmosphere during eclipse since it can not be proved scientifically". Keep your excitement to yourself.
This is a religious matter. Leave it there.
Mumbai - 18:56 to 19:15
Delhi -18:42 to 19:15
Calcutta - 17:53 to 19:15
Chennai- 18:22 to 19:15
Those born in the following rashis and nakshatras are affected by this eclipse.
Rashis.
Vrishabha, Mithuna, Simha, Kanya, Tula, Makara and Kumbha.
Nakshatras
Rohini, Sravana and Hasta ( very severe ).
The importance of eclipse is of dual nature. It is considered that impurity similar to one observed at childbirth is present during this period.
One should not be taking food from nine hours prior to the commencement of eclipse till its end. Food cooked before eclipse should not be consumed afterwards.
The eclipse period is considered very auspicious for ritual bath, and daanam.
While taking a dip at Ganga is most auspicious , the dharmashastra says that every source of water has presence of Ganga in it during eclipse. Try to take a dip if you are close to any of the sacred rivers.
It is also said that all brahmins are like Brahma during eclipse ( irrespective of their merit ) and all daanam is equivalent to bhumi daanam .
One who does not take bath during eclipse will be born a leper in the next seven births.
All acts performed at the beginning of the eclipse acquire punya a hundred thousand times. Take bath as soon as the eclipse starts. All acts performed during the eclipse acquire merit a crore times. Spend the entire duration by chanting mantras in which you are initiated like Shiva Panchakshari. Acts performed at the end of eclipse bring endless punya. Perform daanam at the end after taking bath again.
Those who are affected by the eclipse should especially perform daanam to ward off its ill effects. A statue of naga made in gold weighing 8/4/2 grams is what is prescribed.
The following is a prayer used while taking bath and performing daanam.
योऽसौ वज्रधरो देव आदित्यानां प्रभुर्मतः ।
सहस्रनयनश्चन्द्रग्रहपीडां व्यपोहतु ॥
मुखं यस्सर्वदेवानां सप्तर्चिरमितद्युतिः ।
चन्द्रोपरागसंभूतामग्निः पीडां व्यपोहतु ॥
यः कर्मसाक्षी लोकानां यमो महिषवाहनः ।
चन्द्रसूर्योपरागोत्थां ग्रहपीडां व्यपोहतु ॥
रक्षोगणाधिपस्साक्षात् प्रलयानिलसन्निभः ।
करालो निरृतिश्चन्द्रग्रहपीडां व्यपोहतु ॥
नागपाशधरो देवो नित्यं मकरवाहनः ।
सलिलाधिपतिश्चन्द्रग्रहपीडां व्यपोहतु ॥
प्राणरूपोहि लोकानां वायुः कृष्णमृगप्रियः ।
चन्द्रोपरागसंभूतां ग्रहपीडां व्यपोहतु ॥
योऽसौ निधिपतिर्देवः खड्गशूलधरो वरः ।
चन्द्रोपरागसंभूतां कलुषं मे व्यपोहतु ॥
योऽसौ शूलधरो रुद्रश्शङ्करो वृषवाहनः ।
चन्द्रोपरागजं दोषं विनाशयतु सर्वदा ॥
Pitrutarpana during grahana should be performed during the grahana itself before moksha.
For the rationalists and "scientists" - We also know that it is not a snake swallowing Moon and statements like " Rahu and Ketu are not even planets", " There can't be any poison in the atmosphere during eclipse since it can not be proved scientifically". Keep your excitement to yourself.
This is a religious matter. Leave it there.