UNITED STATES, June 11, 2007: Wedding planners and marriage venues have reported a marked increase in the number of Indian Americans, especially in Las Vegas, who want to get married on July 7 in the belief that the date (7-7-07) has good luck written all over it. Couples have been advised (incorrectly, as we shall see) that the date is auspicious according to the Hindu calendar. “After conferring with all parties we chose July 7, 2007, which is not only the seventh day of the seventh month on the Western calendar, but is also the seventh day of the seventh month on the Hindu lunar calendar as well,” said an exited Amida Mehta of Richmond who is all set to tie the knot next month. “That’s not very common. Picking an auspicious date is all in the spirit of family togetherness,” the 32-year-old said.
A US-based Hindu astrologer clarified that the auspicious astrology of 7-7-07 is based on the calendar date in India and that on the other side of the dateline in the USA the good date for marriage actually falls on 7-6-07. He commented that “astrologically in USA, 7-7-07 is not a good day…on the Hindu lunar calendar this is the inauspicious tithi of ashtami (not saptami), also an inauspicious atiganda yoga and a Saturday. However, July 6th is very good astrology. It is a good nakshatra, tithi, yoga and a Friday. It seems those following the advise that 7-7-07 is an auspicious day to marry are living in the United States, but following a panchangam calculated for India time.”