Saddam Hussein on his way to...

Heaven!! Well according to Indian Shastras there could not have been a more auspicious day for Saddam Hussein to die than December 30th,2006.

Quoting Times of India

December 30 the day former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was executed was one such date under the Hindu calendar, as it fell on Vaikunta Ekadasi.

In Saddam's case though, the date was a double whammy of sorts as the day was equally special under the Islamic calendar. For millions of Muslims across the world, December 30 was a day to mark God's omnipotence.

Every year, lakhs of Haj pilgrims assemble at Mina on this day, two days after the Haj began, to drive away Jamrah symbol of Satan by casting stones at him.

But what made Saddam's end really special was the significance of the date under the Hindu calendar. For under Hindu death rites, he could not have found though inadvertently a better day to meet his maker.

As Vaikunta Ekadasi, according to Hindu Shastras, is the most auspicious occasion for a person's death, particularly for one seeking martyrdom irrespective of religion.

"Dying on Ekadasi day itself is very auspicious. It more auspicious to die on Vaikunta Ekadasi day. Very few souls get such an opportunity," said Padur Subramania Sasthrigal, a Vedic scholar and director (Yagnopathi and Medical Astrology) Coimbatore Arya Vaidya.

"Starting at 3.19 am on Saturday, Vaikunta Ekadasi will continue till Sunday morning. Then, comes the Dwadasi" he said.