In a curious turn of events in Uttar Pradesh, a peculiar trend is emerging as several pregnant women are choosing to have caesarean section deliveries on January 22, aligning their childbirths with the consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya.
The proprietor of Ajanta Hospital and IVF Centre in Lucknow, Dr Gita Khanna, said that three of her patients had proposed to go for caesarean deliveries on January 22, while one embryo transplant is planned for that day.
“Expectant mothers, considering January 22 as an auspicious day, are deliberately choosing this date for their deliveries, even if their due dates fall a few days before or after,” Dr Khanna said on Saturday.
The first phase of the Ram temple is approaching completion and the consecration of Ram Lalla’s idol scheduled for the same day has added a divine twist to the timing.
There are reports that the state-run Obstetrics and Gynaecology department at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College in Kanpur Nagar has also got a request in writing from parents to go for delivery on January 22.
Dr Madhu Gupta, who runs a nursing home in Lucknow, is no stranger to this amusing trend. She said: “I too have received requests from three of my patients to arrange their delivery on that day. They genuinely believe that their child will inherit the qualities of Lord Ram if born on the day of the Ram temple consecration.”
However, Dr Gupta quickly points out that she has not assured all her patients that a caesarean section would be carried out on that day only. “I cannot overlook potential complications in favour of adhering to auspicious times,” she clarified, ensuring that medical decisions are not entirely eclipsed by religious sentiments.
Renuka Sharma, a 32-year-old expecting her second child, finds herself caught in the crossroads of tradition and family wishes. With her due date of delivery on January 20, she amusingly remarked, “It is not my choice; even my family wants the child to be born on January 22.”
This is not the first time that families have asked for the delivery of a child on a specific day. Even on ordinary days, patients, after consulting their astrologers, demand that a caesarean section be performed at a particular time. However, the comical convergence of medical and religious choices raises questions about the delicate balance between cultural traditions and healthcare priorities.
What is so special about January 22, 2024.
According to KD Tripathi, a prominent astrologer from Kanpur, January 22 aligns with the Abhijit muhurat, starting at 11:51 am local time and ending at 12:33 pm. This period is considered auspicious for Hindus, as it is believed that Lord Shiva defeated the demon Tripurasur during this time.
He said that the time and moment of birth of a child were special as the ‘lagna’ and the celestial position of stars dictate a child’s future. Therefore, an auspicious time is always good for the welfare of children, he adds.
“As per Hindu mythology, this period removes negative energies from one’s life,” Tripathi explained, adding, “Amrit Siddhi Yoga and Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga will also coincide on January 22, making it an auspicious time for the Ram temple consecration ceremony.”
As the demand for caesarean deliveries on this specific date rises, healthcare professionals find themselves navigating the intersection of religious beliefs and medical practices. It remains to be seen how this unique trend will impact both the families involved and the medical community as the region prepares for a significant day in its religious history, with newborns potentially stealing a bit of the divine spotlight.
