Tharpanam is an offering to Gods or Pithru devatas (dead ancestors). Tharpanam offered to Gods is named on the basis of God to whom we offer Tharpan – viz. Brahma Tharpanam, Surya Tharpanam, etc. The offering which we make to our dead ancestors is Pithru Tharpanam. Generally, Pithru Tharpanam is done during Amavasya days, Solar and lunar eclipse days, Sankraman or Sankranti days, during Shraddh, and in Shraddh Paksha or Pitru paksha or Mahalaya Paksha.

It is believed that offering any kind of Tharpanam to Pitru devatas would make them free from their all sins and gives them a path to reach Deva loka or Vaikunta loka and get moksha.

The official website of Sri Veda Vidya Ashram, west Mambalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, has got the Tharpanam procedure, types of Tharpanam, what to do and what not to on the day of Tharpanam, Shraddh karma, and Amavasya Tharpanam procedures. You can download Tharpanam procedure in PDF format (English) from this link provided by Sri Veda Vidya Ashram.

Surya Grahan Astrology predictions for January 15, 2010, for various Rasis are given here. This Kankana Surya Grahanam (in some areas – Pakshik Surya Grahanam) will take place in Makara Rashi or Capricorn zodiac sign, on Uttarashada Nakshatra. Natives of Uttarashada nakshatra, Makara Rashi, Kumbha Rashi, and Mithuna Rashi should avoid watching the Surya Grahan of January 15, 2010.

January 15, 2010, Surya Grahan is “Rahu grastha, Dakshina Gola, Krishnavarna, Kanakanakara Grahanam, Vayuvya Sparsha and Eeshanya Moksham” as per Hindu Astrology. It means, the surya grahan will occur due to Rahu and take place in Dakshina golam (Southern portion of the Earth) and appear in black coloured shade and annular shape. This Surya Grahanam contacts Rahu at Northwest side and releases at Northeast side.

Read more about the Surya Grahan January 15, 2010, effect on various Rashis here for – beneficial Rashis, average Rashis and bad rashis. You can also read about – for which rasis this Grahan is good and for which is average and for which rashis this Surya Grahan is bad.

There are some rituals and traditions in Hinduism that Surya Grahan or Chandra Grahan will show some bad effects on Earth and its living world. It is a proven fact. But what about certain aachar (rituals) followed by Hindu people during Grahan? Is there any scientific reason behind the aachars at the time of Grahan?

Why one should avoid drinking stored water during Surya or Chandra Grahan?

During Surya Grahan or Chandra Grahan, one should not drink stored water. During a Sampoorn Surya Grahan (Total Solar Eclipse), Division of Environmental Biology of Vikram Sarabhai Research Centre with the association of S.N. Hospitals, proved that purity of the water was reduced after Grahan. They have researched it for few days and analyzed the results of water before Grahan and the same water after the Grahan.

Why Grass Blades or Durva are kept on food and water during Surya Grahan or Chandra Grahan?

Grass blades (Durva or Garika or Darbha) are kept on stored water and food during the time Grahan. It is not a blind ritual. It’s proven scientifically that Grass blades purify the water more than Tulsi (Ocimum) leaves can during Grahanam. Grass blades have immense purifying power. This is the main reason why grass blades are kept on stored water and food like pickles.

What is Surya Grahan and when it occurs?
Solar eclipse is a stage in the Sun’s cycle (solar cycle), where the Moon reaches between the Sun and the Earth. At the moment of solar eclipse the Sun is either partially or completely covered or darkened. Usually, solar eclipse occurs on Amavasya day (New Moon Day).

Effects of Solar Eclipse on Zodiac Natives:
The solar eclipse has an awful sight since the ages. Traditionally and scientifically, the Sun is considered as energy provider and the life –giver for the whole universe. When he disappears from the sky, it affects on everything and everybody.

Darkening of the sky in the middle of the day can impact the world very largely. We can see the effect of the surya grahan on the world which may be existed for six months until the next eclipse. An eclipse of sun significantly reduces the cosmic powers and in next solar eclipse that whole energies are restructured.

Astrology tells that solar eclipse shows a falling index or the badly featured expression of the mighty. The results, effects or the impact of the solar eclipse normally depend on the zodiac sign (raasi) in which the eclipse happens. Its results will affect the issues ruled by that particular zodiac sign (raasi) or that zodiac’s category. A powerful eclipse of sun (solar eclipse) can enormously ravage the matters related to that zodiac sign.

Solar eclipse predominantly affects men and the public affairs such as politics and foreign relations. Its effect on women will be very negligible. The solar eclipse may bring in prime changes in governing political parties and may shatter the administrative front.

Solar (Sun) Eclipses – 2009 to 2012 and Zodiac Sign (Rashi Lagnas):

22nd July, Wednesday, 2009 – Cancer (Karkataka raasi)

15th January, 2010 – Capricorn (Mesha rashi)

11th July, 2010 – Cancer (Karkataka rashi)

4th January, 2011 – Capricorn (Makara Rashi)

1st June, 2011 – Gemini (Mithuna raasi)

1st July, 2011 – Cancer (Karka raasi)

25th November, 2011 – Sagittarius (Dhanu raasi or Dhanussu Rashi)

20th May, 2012 – Gemini (Mithuna rashi)

13th November, 2012 – Scorpio (Vrischik raasi)