Chandra Darshan, when translated to English, literally, it would mean the sighting of the moon. Chandra Darshan signifies the first day that the moon is sighted after a no moon or the Amavas period.

According to the Hindu belief, the new moon day falls on the day after the Amavasya or no moon period, and sighting of the new moon has immense religious significance. It is believed to bring the devotees a plethora of boons in their life.

 

  • What time is the new moon visible?

Predicting the exact date for the Chandra Darshan has always remained an uphill task for the Almanac and Panchang makers. The new moon, which is just a sliver, is only visible on the first day or the Chandra darshan day. The moon is visible only for a very short while after the sunset that is the moon too sets about an hour after the sunset. Thus the moon is only sighted for a short while after the sunset and it also sets soon after.

 

  • What does one do on the Chandra Darshan day?

The Chandra Darshan days are marked by devout devotees observing Chandra Darshan Vrat, Chandra Vratham or Chandrodaya Vrata.  People keep a day long fast and only break it at the sighting of the moon.

  • The Chandra Darshan Vrat is marked by fasting, as fasting is believed to be a tool in appeasing the Gods according to Hindu beliefs. It will not be out of place to mention that fasting for nine Mondays is believed to be beneficial in reducing the ill effects of the Chandra.

 

  • It is believed that charity, or helping the needy is one of the most effective ways of reducing the malefic effects of the moon. A person  do charity of  all white articles, like in edibles rice, sugar, Sweets, kheer and in other articles white clothes, silver, pearl etc.

 

  • One can also do Japa or chanting for the Lord Chandra. Chanting can range from one hundred and eight times of the Mula Mantra, which is “Om shram sreem shraum sah chandraya namah” to twenty one thousand times. Devotees also read the Chandra Stotra which is “Dadhi Shankha tushaarabham ksheero darnava sambhavam
    Namaami shashinam somam shambhor mukuta bhushanam”.