baths and we have no recollection of its occurrence in the immediate past.
But the Mahodaya occurs oftener. It is considered a little less meritorious as compared with the Arddhodaya, but for all that it is also considered a very sacred opportunity for baths. The Mahodaya is the rising of the sun and the moon in conjunction on a Monday, the sun being in Capricorn, in the month of Pushya (January-February) and the moon in the asterism of Sravana when it is in conjunction with Vyatipata yoga. The last Mahodayas occurred on Monday, the 5th February, 1894, and on the lst February, 1895. Both the Arddhodaya and the Mahodaya are deemed to be very sacred occasions for religious bathing, alms-giving, propitiating the spirits of the departed forefathers, and performing ot er religious duties. Wealthy Hindus generally go on pilgrimages to Benares and Rameswaram to bathe in the sacred waters in these places. The sacred water of Dhanushkoti near Rameswaram is considered to be most holy on this occasion as it is said to have been opened by Rama with his bow. The Hindus of Madras generally proceed to Mahabalipuram—the
