'Going to a good astrologer is like going to a doctor'

Consider it a pastime or an infallible guide to the future, you can't ignore astrology, which some Indians consider a science. Some place equal emphasis on visits to an astrologer and a doctor and consult the stars before taking any important decision.

Soothsayers at the recent astrology and healers' assembly, Nakshatra Fair 2010, here said astrology was still one of the biggest draws in the country with an approximate daily turnover of Rs.1.5 crore (Rs. 15 million). And Delhi was one of the biggest contributors.

Amit Arora, a young software engineer, told IANS: "I consult astrologers before taking on anything important - either projects or decisions. I believe in astrology because it is a science."

Arora, whose fingers were studded with "sacred stones", was at the fair looking for books on astrology.

For 21-year-old Paras Goswami, a second-year arts student in Delhi University, belief in the power of stars "epitomises faith".

"If an astrologer's prediction comes true, you feel the power of faith. Otherwise, faith continues to be an intangible object for most of us as long as life moves on a positive course," he said.

He said astrology can be compared to science. "Going to a good astrologer is like going to a doctor."

Vedic astrology is like medical science, said astrologer Kishan Lal Joshi of the Shiv Shakti Bhrigu Durbar Mandir, a shrine and astro-science centre in Rohini, northwest Delhi.

According to him, it complements the traditional healing system of ayurveda.

"But only those who believe in sanatan (traditional) dharma can benefit from Vedic astrology," he said.

Joshi and his three-member team offered free astrological advice and remedies at the fair as part of his order's voluntary service.

According to scriptures, Vedic astrology studies motions and positions of planets with respect to time and their effect on humans and other entities on earth. It traces its origin to the Vedanta.

Believers say it is a mathematical science based on 27 constellations which make up the 12 zodiac signs and nine planets, spread across 12 houses. Each house represents one aspect of human life. The visual representation of these planets in their respective houses in one's birth chart is called a horoscope. Vedic astrology interprets the meaning of these arrangements.

K.K. Sinha, associate registrar of the Amity Business School, believes his destiny is guided by stars. He was at the fair to draw up computer-aided horoscopes for his 25-year-old daughter and himself for "the next 30 years".

"All the astrological predictions in my daughter's birth chart have come true. The art of making horoscope is a pure mathematical science which can be accurate, subject to the availability of time and date," he said at the fair.

Sinha said the youth today was falling back on astrology because "life has become more complicated".

Jagmohan Sharma, an industrialist, who was looking for advice on vaastu shastra at Nakshatra 2010, said the media was responsible for the growing popularity of astrology among the GenNext.

"Television channels dedicated to forecasts and newspapers with regular astrology columns kindle young interest. It is heartening because astrology is integral to traditional Indian values. Belief in the power of stars keeps the Indian GenNext anchored to ethics," Sharma said.

Nakshatra 2010, which was organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation at Pragati Maidan in association with 'Future Point', an astro-research centre, drew more than 300 palmists, numerologists, face readers, vaastu, Feng Shui, signology practitioners, tarot readers and pranic healers - branches of astrology and alternative healing which have become popular over the past two decades.

(Madhusree Chatterjee can be contacted at madhu.c@ians.in)

Last updated on Feb 10^th, 2010 at 09:58 am IST--IANS