Birthdays are special for all of us. Though everyone follows the Gregorian calendar to celebrate birthdays, long ago, Indians used to follow the Hindu calendar for this purpose.
According to Hindu belief and astrology, celebrating one’s birthday according to the Tithi (lunar day) or your Nakshatra/star birthday is more auspicious and spiritually beneficial for us.
A person’s date of birth can say much about their personality. Also, there is a connection between your date of birth and the planetary energies. In Vedic Astrology, the positions of the Sun and the Moon are very important. Many regions in the Indian subcontinent follow the Sun’s position through various zodiac signs to find one’s birthdate as per one’s birth star. One also needs to check and make sure that the star extends to a minimum period of 6 ghatis (Nazhika). This comes to 2 hours and 24 minutes after sunrise. In case it is shorter than this, one must one’s your birthday on the previous date.
Vedic astrology uses a person’s birthday as one of the 5 key elements to create their birth chart or Kundli. The five elements are the date, month, year, time, and place of birth.
The Importance of Tithis in Birthday
Tithis have a major role in determining your birthday since ancient times. Initially, Hindus would celebrate their birthdays as per the Vedic date (Tithi) of the lunisolar calendar and not the Gregorian calendar.
Indian festivals commemorate the birthdays of deities, and these are based on the lunisolar calendar of Tithi. For instance, the birthday of Lord Rama is on the Shukla Navami Tithi of Chaitra month every year, and Lord Krishna’s birthday is on the Krishna Ashtami Tithi of Shravana month.
Many astrologers are of the opinion that if you were born on Amavasya, it is inauspicious. The well-being of a person depends on the position of the Moon, so its combustion could have an adverse influence on their mental health, especially if they are born during Amavasya and Pratipada Tithi.
Regarding the technical aspects of the word “Tithi”, it is the Vedic date of the lunisolar calendar, and it measures the angular displacement of the Moon from the Sun. It’s the interval between two consecutive full moons’ (exact 180° displacement of the Moon from the Sun), which is about 29.5 civil days.
Each Tithi is a measure of 12°. There are 15 Tithis in the waxing phase (Shukla paksha) and 15 in the waning phase (Krishna Paksha).
Why We Should Celebrate Birthdays as per the Tithi?
Celebrating the birthday as per Tithis can benefit a person in many forms. Let us see what they are:
· One can feel positive vibrations at the time of your birth and the Tithi that’s good for you.
· On one’s Janam-tithi, the favorable principles that prevailed at your birth time will be available; hence you get the most benefit when performing aukshan (the ritual whereby lamps are lit to welcome the divine waves on Earth). Also, as the position of the stars and constellations coincide with that of your birth, it has a positive effect.
· Celebrating birthdays by Tithi can bestow more spiritual benefits, which are not available when the celebrations are according to the English date.
· It makes you think about your past achievements and your future goals.
How to Celebrate Your Birthday for A Long And Happy Life?
Here are some tips on celebrating your birthday in a manner that leads to happiness, health, and prosperity.
· Wake up at Brahmamuhurtham (4 am), bathe, and wear new clothes
· Avoid violence and maintain good conduct all through the day
· Do not consume non-vegetarian food or alcohol on this day
· Pray to the Almighty for your well-being and offer food to the poor, birds, and animals
· Perform Ganesha Pooja, Vishnu Pooja, and Bhagwati Pooja for good health, wealth, and prosperity. If you fear threats to your life, chant the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.
The birthday’s significance depends on the day or Vara of the week. The following list will enable you to understand how the results will be:
· Sunday – Indicates long journeys
· Monday – Chances to enjoy good food
· Tuesday – Possibility of getting affected by diseases
· Wednesday – Big gains and achievements in education
· Thursday – Chances of receiving expensive clothes
· Friday – Good fortune
· Saturday – Problems for parents
Performing the Pooja of the lord of the weekday according to your birth date can reduce the negative effect of all doshas. Thus, if your birthday falls on Friday, you can pray to Shukra/Venus (the ruling planet of Friday).
Many sites offer different Birthday Packages for performing Birthday Rituals according to time-honored Vedic rites. You can opt for such services and celebrate your birthday as per your Tithi to get maximum benefits and divine blessings.