Anticipation surrounds January 22 as expectant parents nationwide seek “muhurat deliveries” to coincide with the consecration of Ayodhya’s Ram temple. Couples like Bharti and Anoop Mishra from Kanpur are adjusting due dates, influenced by the belief that babies born on this day will be imbued with qualities that define “Maryada Purushottam”.
Bharti’s due date, originally Feb 7, has been moved forward by more than two weeks. The couple desires the birth to align with the Ayodhya ceremony, emphasising an astrologer’s forecast promising wealth and a long, healthy life for their child born on January 22.
Hospitals across India are experiencing pressure from expectant parents to schedule Caesarean-sections on January 22. This influx of “Ayodhya consecration” births has raised ethical and medical considerations. Dr NiranJanuary Chavan, president of Mumbai Obstetrics and Gynaecologist Society, acknowledged multiple hospitals receiving similar requests. However, the association does not encourage “muhurat deliveries”.
The day falls a few days after Makar Sankranti, a Hindu festival that marks the Sun’s northward movement into Capricorn (Makar). Uttarayana, as this period is known, is considered an auspicious time for new beginnings. The Mishras want the delivery specifically between 11.45am and 12.45pm, described as “Abhijit muhurat” and recommended for all “shubh karyas”. The Ram temple consecration will take place during this period.
“In our family everyone follows horoscopes and makes all decisions after consulting a pandit. For instance, if the nakshatras look unfavourable, we will refrain from carrying out even normal office or business work,” Bharti said.
Dr Seema Dwivedi, a senior gynaecologist in Kanpur, reported scheduling 35 deliveries at her hospital for that day, nearly double the daily average.
Doctors face the dilemma of balancing these requests with medical considerations. Dr Cherry Shah from Surya Hospital in Mumbai has scheduled two deliveries for January 22. She said “muhurat deliveries” are not new for her. “This trend has picked up in the past few years. If I am conducting eight to ten deliveries a week, half of them would be scheduled for a particular day and a time demanded by the families. Sometimes it is possible, sometimes not. It all depends on the medical condition of the mother and baby.”
Dr Ruchi Tandon, a senior gynaecologist in south Delhi’s Greater Kailash, has received eight requests and has agreed to four. “I think most doctors try to accommodate such muhurat requests, provided there’s no risk to the mother and baby. But beyond a point, it becomes difficult for doctors to fulfil such demands,” she said.
While some doctors try to accommodate such requests, others disapprove. Dr Yashodhara Pradeep from Lucknow, who is vice president of Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India, criticised the practice, stating that destiny determines the birth of a baby at a certain time, and meddling with it is unfair. “God has destined everything…Why are you playing with it?” she said.
Dr Hetal Patolia at Khyati Multi-Speciality Hospital in Ahmedabad and Dr Rishma Dhillon Pai, an honorary consultant-gynaecologist at Lilavati, Jaslok and Hinduja hospitals in Mumbai, echoed the sentiment, underscoring the importance of medical recommendations over astrological considerations. “I tell my patients that every day is special in its own way. Every day is Ram’s day. He is everywhere,” Patolia said. According to Pai, even Parsi families have joined the trend.
Dr Sonal Kumta, practising at Fortis Hospital in Mumbai, emphasised making delivery decisions based on medical indications rather than astrology. “As a medical professional, I do not understand astrology and its importance in our lives… such procedures should only be performed if the doctor feels it is necessary for the safe birth of the child after reviewing the patient’s condition,” she said.
While many embrace this trend, some like Naina Agarwal in Mumbai deferred to her doctor’s advice, despite the desire for a significant day. “Maybe, after the delivery, I will take my newborn to Ayodhya for Lord Ram’s blessings,” said the 33-year-old, whose due date is Feb 6.
(With inputs from Sneha Bhura in Delhi)
Bharti’s due date, originally Feb 7, has been moved forward by more than two weeks. The couple desires the birth to align with the Ayodhya ceremony, emphasising an astrologer’s forecast promising wealth and a long, healthy life for their child born on January 22.
Hospitals across India are experiencing pressure from expectant parents to schedule Caesarean-sections on January 22. This influx of “Ayodhya consecration” births has raised ethical and medical considerations. Dr NiranJanuary Chavan, president of Mumbai Obstetrics and Gynaecologist Society, acknowledged multiple hospitals receiving similar requests. However, the association does not encourage “muhurat deliveries”.
The day falls a few days after Makar Sankranti, a Hindu festival that marks the Sun’s northward movement into Capricorn (Makar). Uttarayana, as this period is known, is considered an auspicious time for new beginnings. The Mishras want the delivery specifically between 11.45am and 12.45pm, described as “Abhijit muhurat” and recommended for all “shubh karyas”. The Ram temple consecration will take place during this period.
“In our family everyone follows horoscopes and makes all decisions after consulting a pandit. For instance, if the nakshatras look unfavourable, we will refrain from carrying out even normal office or business work,” Bharti said.
Dr Seema Dwivedi, a senior gynaecologist in Kanpur, reported scheduling 35 deliveries at her hospital for that day, nearly double the daily average.
Doctors face the dilemma of balancing these requests with medical considerations. Dr Cherry Shah from Surya Hospital in Mumbai has scheduled two deliveries for January 22. She said “muhurat deliveries” are not new for her. “This trend has picked up in the past few years. If I am conducting eight to ten deliveries a week, half of them would be scheduled for a particular day and a time demanded by the families. Sometimes it is possible, sometimes not. It all depends on the medical condition of the mother and baby.”
Dr Ruchi Tandon, a senior gynaecologist in south Delhi’s Greater Kailash, has received eight requests and has agreed to four. “I think most doctors try to accommodate such muhurat requests, provided there’s no risk to the mother and baby. But beyond a point, it becomes difficult for doctors to fulfil such demands,” she said.
While some doctors try to accommodate such requests, others disapprove. Dr Yashodhara Pradeep from Lucknow, who is vice president of Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India, criticised the practice, stating that destiny determines the birth of a baby at a certain time, and meddling with it is unfair. “God has destined everything…Why are you playing with it?” she said.
Dr Hetal Patolia at Khyati Multi-Speciality Hospital in Ahmedabad and Dr Rishma Dhillon Pai, an honorary consultant-gynaecologist at Lilavati, Jaslok and Hinduja hospitals in Mumbai, echoed the sentiment, underscoring the importance of medical recommendations over astrological considerations. “I tell my patients that every day is special in its own way. Every day is Ram’s day. He is everywhere,” Patolia said. According to Pai, even Parsi families have joined the trend.
Dr Sonal Kumta, practising at Fortis Hospital in Mumbai, emphasised making delivery decisions based on medical indications rather than astrology. “As a medical professional, I do not understand astrology and its importance in our lives… such procedures should only be performed if the doctor feels it is necessary for the safe birth of the child after reviewing the patient’s condition,” she said.
While many embrace this trend, some like Naina Agarwal in Mumbai deferred to her doctor’s advice, despite the desire for a significant day. “Maybe, after the delivery, I will take my newborn to Ayodhya for Lord Ram’s blessings,” said the 33-year-old, whose due date is Feb 6.
(With inputs from Sneha Bhura in Delhi)