‘26 is not a bad number’

26 combines (2+6) to become number 8, which is the number of planet Saturn — the powerful planet of both success and upheavals.

According to numerologist Bhavikk Sangghvi the number 26 can go to great extremes. “The number can give some person a great high in love and career or take him down into lows. The number is associated with undercurrents of struggle and may represent insecurity to an extent. For instance a person may own the greatest car in the world but he might be insecure that somebody might shoot him and take his life/wealth,” he explains.

Astrologer Ajai Rai Madan defines number 26 as the number of eventful happenings. “This number adds up to number 8 and among all numbers this is one such number which doesn’t have a beginning or an end. All the other numbers end at some point. But 8 does not. It represents unexpected events, both good and bad.

"It represents events which we as human beings may not have any control over (both good and bad). A loss of job or a lucky prize in a lottery is all governed by number 8. But when it come to terror activity or explosive happenings, number 26 or 8 is not responsible alone.

"The planet of Mars which governs number 9 always has a role to play,” he says.

Says astrologer Bejan Daruwalla, “People have a very wrong perception about the number 26. I agree catastrophes have happened on this date but on the other hand many great events have also taken place simultaneously.

"India’s present Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was born on the 26th of September. India’s even celebrates its Republic Day on the date 26th of January. Like nature is plentiful, it is impossible to brand the number 26 as bad forever.

"After couple of years it’s quite possible that a great event might take place in India on the very date of November, and change the perception of the date.”