Chandra Darshan is the first day of moon sighting after no moon day. In Hinduism, the new moon day is known as Amavasya and the first sighting of moon after new moon has religious significance. People observe a day long fast and break it after sighting new moon on Chandra Darshan day.
It is very difficult to correctly estimate when Chandra Darshan may occur since the visual view of the moon depends on a lot of factors. Hence, there is hardly any fixed time to observe Chandra Darshan.
Chandra is also identified with the Vedic lunar deity Soma. The Soma name refers particularly to the juice of sap in the plants and thus makes the Moon the lord of plants and vegetation. Chandra is described as young, beautiful, fair; two-armed and having in his hands a club and a lotus. He rides his chariot across the sky every night, pulled by ten white horses. He is connected with dew, and as such, is one of the gods of fertility. He is also called Rajanipati and Kshupakara and Indu. As Soma, he presides over Monday. Chandra is the father of Budha, the mother being Tara. He is married to 27 Nakshatras, who are known to be daughters of Daksha.
In Hindu mythology, Chandra Dev or the Hindu Lord of Moon is considered to be one of the most revered deities. He is also a significant ‘graha’ or planet of the ‘Navgraha’, which influences life on Earth. Moon is known to be a favourable planet and is associated with wisdom, purity and good intentions. It is believed that an individual with favourably placed Moon in his/her planet will live a more successful and prosperous life.
Today, Hindu devotees worship the Moon God. Devotees observe a strict fast on this day to please Chandradev. The fast is broken after sighting the moon after sunset. It is believed that devotees who worship Chandradev on this day will be bestowed with good fortune and prosperity. Moon is known to be a favourable planet and is associated with wisdom, purity and good intentions.
