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Lucknow University to offer paid astrology consultations via Jyotish Kendra
Lucknow University approves paid astrology consultations at Jyotish Paramarsh Kendra, charging ₹500– ₹3,100 for sessions on career, health, marriage, and more
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Lucknow: Lucknow University has approved a proposal to provide paid astrological consultations through its Jyotish Paramarsh Kendra (Astrology Consultancy Centre), people familiar with the matter said on Friday.
According to the university’s finance committee, which approved the proposal, the consultation fee has been fixed between ₹500 and ₹3,100, depending on the nature of the service.
The university website states that it launched a regular course in Jyoti Vigyan (Astrological Sciences) on October 18, 2001. The university offers the course for BA and MA students in Hindi, English, and Sanskrit mediums.
The proposal says that the Jyotish Paramarsh Kendra will offer advice on a number of issues, including career choices, health concerns, marriage prospects, political fortunes, and Vastu, among others.
“Vice-chancellor Prof JP Saini gave consent for prescribed fees for different services via Jyotish Paramarsh Kendra,” said Shyamlesh Kumar Tiwari, coordinator of the Jyotir Vigyan department.
According to the approved plan, most consultations based on birth charts will last a minimum of 15 minutes at a cost of ₹1,500 per session. These include advice on career and income sources, health issues, education, marriage, children, housing, and financial status.
Shorter consultations on foreign travel prospects, social status and prestige, and political career analysis have been fixed at ₹500 for 15 minutes.
‘Hora astrology’ and palmistry sessions will be available for 30 minutes at ₹700, while numerology-based counselling will be charged at ₹1,700.
A short horoscope will be delivered within three days for ₹500, a medium horoscope with ‘lagna’ and ‘chandra charts’ within seven days for ₹1,100, and a detailed horoscope with shadvarga analysis within 15 days for ₹3,100, according to the proposal.
There will be a 15% discount on consultation fees for university officials, the proposal said.
Former Lucknow University vice-chancellor Professor Roop Rekha Verma, however, condemned the move.
“I condemn the initiative as it is highly non-academic and not a science. Universities should remain centres of knowledge and research. It cannot start selling products. A lot of research needs to be done to explain the rationale of calling it Jyotir Vigyan,” she said.
