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Chandra darshan translates to “Moon sighting”. As the name suggests, this festival is the first day of moon sightings after no moon day (Amavasya). The first sighting of the Moon after no moon day is believed to have some religious significance. Religious people keep a day-long fast and break it after seeing the Moon at night on this Chandra darshan occasion. The Moon is visible for a very short period on the first day of Chandra darshan. The Moon sets about one hour after sunset.

This occasion is dedicated to Chandra dev (Moon). Chandra dev is known for his purity, happiness and wisdom. As per the astrological predictions, those whose Moon is placed positively will lead prosperous lives. According to religious beliefs, it is considered immensely fortunate and prosperous to sight the Moon on this particular day. Chandra Darshan is celebrated in honour of the Lord Chandrama or Moon.

Significance of Chandra Darshan

Lord Moon is considered an important and favourable planet. Lord Moon is believed to influence human minds. On keeping fast on Chandra, Darshan helps purify the mind from all the negative and evil thoughts, balances the elements of Kapha, pitta, and vatta in the human body, and helps cure diseases and provide sound health. He is married to the 27 Nakshatras, the daughters of King Prajapati Daksha. He is also the father of Budha, or Planet Mercury. Hindu devotees, therefore, worship Moon God on the day of Chandra Darshan to seek his blessings for success, victory, triumph, successfulness and good fortune.

Worship Procedure

Devotees wake up early in the morning, bathe, and vow to keep fast for the entire day. The devotees pray to the Moon by offering Arghya at sunset and break their day-long fast after seeing the Moon.

Rituals During Chandra Darshan

On the day of Chandra Darshan, Hindu devotees worship Lord Moon. Devotees observe a strict fast on this day to please Chandra Dev. They do not eat or drink anything all through the day. The fast is broken after sighting the Moon just after sunset. It is believed that a person who performs all the ritualistic worship of the Moon God on the day of Chandra Darshan will be bestowed with endless good fortune and prosperity. Offering donations is also an important ritual on Chandra Darshan. People donate clothes, rice, wheat and sugar, among other things, to Brahmins on this day. Along with the above-given rituals, women keep a fast for the long lives of their spouses and the abolition of various obstacles in their married life.