May 2008 Vedic Calendar

Planetary Transits for May 2008

(All times are GMT, London, and U.K.)

All month: Jupiter in Sagittarius (Dhanus) direct and retrograde, Mercury in Taurus direct and retrograde, Mars in Cancer (Karka) debilitated, Saturn in Leo (Simha) direct and retrograde, Rahu in Capricorn (Markar) & Ketu in Cancer (Karka) (True & mean). Krittika is the monthly celebrations for Kartikeyan.

May 2008 Panchanga



2nd 23:23 Pradosh***

3rd 03:04 Saturn becomes direct in Leo
4th 17:02 Amavasya Tithi begins**.
5th 13:19 New Moon in 21º 24', in Aries, Bharani nakshatra. (Moon joins Sun at 21º 23' at almost exact point creating a yudh avastha)
Krittika, special day for Mars*.
6th 18:33 Moon enters Rohini and becomes exalted on 6th May at 18:33 and stays exalted until 7th May until 15:38.
7th Akshaya Tritiya where the Sun and Moon are exalted at the same time. (More on this special transit above.)
9th 12:33 Jupiter becomes retrograde in Sagittarius in Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra.
10th Krittika, special day for Mars* (from 20:18 on 9th May).
12th 10:54 Moon in exact conjunction with Ketu at 29º 21' in Ashlesha Nakshatra. 14th 10:54 Sun enters Taurus and joins Mercury.
16th 20:40 Pradosh***
17th 22:40 Poornima Tithi begins
19th 00:52 Full Moon in 22º 25' Libra, Vishaka nakshatra.
20th 16:45 Mercury becomes retrograde at 27º 33', Taurus Mrigashirsha nakshatra.
26th 02:15 Venus enters Taurus.
27th 00:34 Moon in exact conjunction with Rahu at 28º 34', in Dhanistha Nakshatra.



Akshaya Tritiya on 7th May 2008
The word "Akshaya" means imperishable or eternal - that which never diminishes. Initiations made or valuables bought on this day are considered to bring success or good fortune. Buying gold is a popular activity on Akshaya Tritiya, as it is the ultimate symbol of wealth and prosperity. Gold and gold jewelry bought and worn on this day signify never diminishing good fortune. Indians celebrate weddings, begin new business ventures, and even plan long journeys on this day.

Akshaya Tritiya is a holy day and is also known as "Akha Teej", is traditionally the birthday of Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. People conduct special Pujas on this day, bathe in holy rivers, give charitable donations, offer barley in a sacred fires, and worship Lord Ganesha & Devi Lakshmi on this day.
Hindus believe in the theory of "mahurats" or auspicious timings in every step in life - be it to begin a new venture or making an important purchase. Akshaya Tritiya is one such momentous occasion, which is considered one of the most auspicious days of the Vedic Calendar. It is believed, any meaningful activity started on this day would be fruitful. Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh month (April-May), when the Sun and Moon are in exaltation; they are simultaneously at their peak of brightness, which happens only once every year.

The day also marks the beginning of the "SatyaYug" or the Golden Age - the first of the four Yugas. In the "Puranas", the holy Hindu scriptures, there is a story that says that on this day of Akshay Tritiya Vedavyas along with Lord Ganesha started writing the great epic Mahabharata. Ganga Devi or Mother Ganges also descended to earth on this day. It is also believed that people born during this time shine bright in life. Many luminaries were born during this period: Basaveshwara born on May 4, Ramanujacharya and Adi Shankaracharya on May 6, Swami Chinmayananda on May 8 and Lord Buddha on May 16.