<P> There are fifteen moon dates for each of the waxing and waning periods . These fifteen dates divided evenly into five categories: Nanda, Bhadra', Jaya, Rikta, and Purna, which are cycled through in that order . </P> <P> Nanda dates are considered to be favorable for auspicious works; Bhadra dates for works related with community, social, family, friends; and Jaya dates for dealing with conflict . Rikta dates are considered beneficial only for works related to cruelty . Purna dates are considered to be favorable for all work . </P> <P> The first day of the Lunar Hindu calendar starts the day after the new moon (Amavasya), which is considered a powerful force for good or evil . The Hindu epic Mahabharatha states that the Kurukshetra War started this day, which was also a Tuesday (Mangalvaar, day of the week named after Mars). </P> <P> The Islamic calendar has retained an observational definition of the new moon, marking the new month when the first crescent moon is actually seen, and making it impossible to be certain in advance of when a specific month will begin (in particular, the exact date on which Ramadan will begin is not known in advance). In Saudi Arabia, the new King Abdullah Centre for Crescent Observations and Astronomy in Makkah has a clock for addressing this as an international scientific project . In Pakistan, there is a "Central Ruet - e-Hilal Committee" whose head is Mufti Muneeb - ur - Rehman, assisted by 150 observatories of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, which announces the sighting of the new moon . Since its creation in 1974, the status of the Central Ruet - e-Hilal Committee has been controversial as it refused the "Witnesses" (Shahadats) from other sects . In Iran a special committee receives observations of every new moon to determine the beginning of each month . This committee uses one hundred groups of observers . </P>

Where is the moon located with respect to earth and the sun during the new moon