Tonight marks the penumbral lunar eclipse. This eclipse does not have sutak because it has no religious significance.
Rituals related to the full moon can be carried out all day long.
At 8.44 pm today, the penumbral lunar eclipse will start, and it will last until 1.01 am tomorrow. This indicates that the duration of the eclipse will be 4 hours, 18 minutes.
Such a lunar eclipse is referred to as Mandya, Upachaya in the scriptures. In this eclipse, the Moon is surrounded by what looks like dust. The moon has no spiritual significance either because the earth does not cast a direct shadow on it.
There are different religious and scientific beliefs regarding eclipse.
Religious belief – In ancient times, the gods and demons are said to have together churned the ocean. This churning of the ocean lead to the creation of the Amrit or nector. Lord Vishnu took the Mohini avatar to give nectar to the deities after killing all the demons. Itis said that Mohini was feeding the deities, when a demon named Rahu also reached there disguised as one of the deities. Mohini thought that Rahu was also a deity gave him nectar to drink.
However, Rahu who was sitting between the sun and moon deities was recognised who immediately beheaded Rahu using the Sudarshan Chakra. But since Rahu had already drunk the nectar, he did not die, but was split into two. The head is known as Rahu and the torso is known as Ketu. Since Surya and Chandra had told his secret to Vishnu ji, that’s why Rahu considers both of them to be his enemies. That is why Rahu consumes both the sun and the moon from time to time which results in the eclipse.
According to science, when the Sun, the Earth and the Moon come in a straight line and the Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon, it results in the lunar eclipse.
Auspicious works that can be done on Vaishakh Purnima according to zodiac sign
Aries- Distribute milk or kheer to the needy people around the house.
Taurus- Donate curd and cow’s ghee to small children.
Gemini- Plant a shady tree plant in a temple around the house.
Cancer- Donate water. You can donate a pot filled with water in a pyu.
Leo – Donate jaggery.
Virgo – Donate things related to studies like copy, pen etc. to little girls around the house.
Libra – Donate milk, rice and pure ghee.
Scorpio- Donate red lentils.
Sagittarius- Donate gram dal by tying it in a yellow cloth.
Capricorn and Aquarius – Donate black sesame, oil, shoes and slippers, umbrella and blue clothes.
Pisces- Donate fruits and medicines to the patients.
These rituals can be done on Viashakh Purnima
However, despite the lunar eclipse not having any religious significance yet since it is falling on the day of Vaishakh Purnima therefore one can perform certain rituals on this day.
On Vaishakh Purnima, light a lamp in front of Hanuman ji’s idol or photo and recite the Hanuman Chalisa.
Worship Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Fill saffron mixed in Dakshinavarti conch and anoint the Lord. Offer yellow bright clothes to God and chant the mantra, “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”.
Chant Om Namah Shivay mantra by lighting a lamp near the Shivling. Offer wedding items like bangles, red saree, kumkum etc. to Goddess Parvati.
Donate milk for the planet Venus who is worshiped in the form of Shivling. That’s why we offer milk on the Shivling through a silver pot.