This is based on lunar calendar - 9th day of Shukla Paksha in Chaitra month (Panguni)
Pushkar Bhatnagar, an IRS officer purchased the license for Planetarium Gold software in 1999 to scientifically date the Ramayana.
His results were shocking (1/9)
This method of employing software to date the Ramayana on the basis of astronomical references
mentioned in source text , was pioneering.
Valmiki's aim was not to plant evidences. His astronomical references are recorded incidentally, as ancillaries to the main subject: Sri Ram
Valmiki states the position of different planets with regards to zodiac constellations and nakshatras in Bala Kaanda 1/18/8-9 verses at the time of Ram's Birth.
This can be used to complete Ram's astrological chart.
When this data is plugged into the software, we get his DOB!
Keeping the location co-ordinates as Ayodhya (25°N 81°E), Planetarium Gold points to the following date as Ram's Birthday:
10th January, 5114 BCE , 12-1 PM
When this date based on solar calendar is converted to lunar calendar, it was the 9th day of Shukla Paksha in Chaitra.
Bharat was born the next day, 11th January 5114 BC, 6AM
Lakshman and Shatrughan were born on 12th January 5114 BC
4 brothers born on 3 consecutive days!
With this date as the fulcrum, the entire events of Ramayana can be corroborated based on further astronomical data (5/9)
When Dashrath wanted Ram to be king, Sun, Mars & Rahu had surrounded his nakshatra, citing generally unfavorable conditions for him.
Plug this data again & the software mentions 5 Jan 5089 BC as the date of Ram's exile (vanavaasa)
He was 25 years old, as mentioned by Valmiki
In Ram's 13th year of exile, he fought with Khar-Dushan. Valmiki mentions this date as Amavasya & it was a solar eclipse.
When plugged with this data, the software gives date as 7 Oct, 5077 BC with a solar eclipse visible from Panchavati (20°N 73°E) (7/9)
In Summary, a Timeline of Ramayana based on Astronomical Data:
10/1/5114 BCE – Rama Born at Ayodhya
5/1/5089 BCE – Rama, age 25, leaves Ayodhya for 14 year exile
7/10/5077 BCE – Rama, age 37, 13th year of exile, battles Kar-Dhushana in Panchavati
Is such a validation via software necessary for our epic?
Indeed, no evidence is needed to prove the existence of the embodiment of Dharma who lives in our hearts.
To the skeptics: Can so many events that match with astronomical data be just a coincidence?
This is a greatly simplified version of the study, those curious can read the full details in Pushkar Bhatnagar's book, "Dating the Era of Lord Ram", Rs.395 (paperback), Rs. 302 (Kindle)
Did you know that the first temple Cholas built in Thondai Naadu is a Shiva temple in ... Velachery, Chennai?
Originally built by the Pallavas, this temple is also ideal for 60th, 70th & 80th birthday functions due to its rich mythology.
Short thread with google map link (1/7):
According to myth, Somugasura snatched the Vedas from Lord Brahma. Lord Vishnu recovered them from him, but the Vedas had lost their sanctity.
To regain it, the Vedas themselves worshipped Lord Shiva here, hence called as Vedasreni. This became current day Velachery. (2/7)
Another myth states that Lord Yama had lost his Dhanda (staff) at Thirukadayur, Mayiladuthurai which is considered ideal for Shastiyapthapoorthi functions.
Yama reached here, built a tank and did penance to regain his Dhanda.
Hence it is called Shri Dhandeeshwara temple! (3/7)
Today in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi & other MPs raised slogans of 'Adani Adani Adani' in front of PM.
As much as this is uncivil, a real democracy at least provides chances for voicing dissent.
In 1975 Emergency, the word "Maruti" was censored to protect Sanjay Gandhi.
(1/8)
Coming at a time when Rahul Gandhi, Sanjay’s nephew, has launched a visceral attack on the Narendra Modi government for supporting "crony capitalism", this thread is a good reminder of what went on behind the scenes in the heyday of socialism.
Sanjay, who apprenticed at Rolls Royce was fascinated with cars.
As a self-respecting nepotistic kid, he pulled his mom's strings to make the govt issue a letter of intent for his pet project "Maruti"
Haryana CM obligingly provided 290 acres of fertile land at throwaway prices!
SuKi Sivam's initials has a story. His father Suki Subramaniam crafted it.
He took Su from Subramaniam, his own name & merged it with Ki, for Krishnamurthy as a tribute to Kalki & made Su Ki as his family's initials.
His father wouldn't have approved SuKi Sivam of today (1/9)
SuKi Sivam, popular motivational speaker and writer had also forayed into giving spiritual discourses for many years now.
His discourses were always perceived as cursory, as it hit the intellect, but it failed to appeal to a devout heart.
He charged hefty fees for his talks.
While his delivery lacked devotion & execution reeked more of economics than education, the point is this: He had an agenda which he subtly pushed into his discourses.
He started blaming one community for all social evils, which is straight out of the Dravidian playbook.
Today is Karthigai Deepam, a festival of lamps celebrated since antiquity.
Nowadays cynics & skeptics ask for literary & historical data to "prove" that every festival is truly "our" festival.
No worries, Tamils have precisely recorded Karthigai Vilakeedu in many sources.
A 🧵
Karthigai Vilakeedu, beyond its spiritual significance, could be the oldest of all recorded Tamil festivals.
Tolkappiyam, the oldest Tamil grammar book mentions: "வேலை நோக்கிய விளக்கு நிலையும்
வாயுறை வாழ்த்தும் செவியறிவுறூஉவும்"
This signifies lamp lighting in Karthigai month.
In Agananooru, the poet has recorded this festivity with astronomical data.
"The rainy season is over.
Moon has become Full on the 6-star constellation of Kritthika.
Lamps have been lit in the streets.
Garlands have been hung.
All are celebrating the festival, where is my man?"