If you thought education could wipe out age-old superstitions, think again. Students who are seeking admission to colleges or applying for courses abroad are queuing up outside homes and offices of astrologers, seeking divine knowledge on their chances of success, as the admission season picks up momentum up in the city. City astrologers, delighted at the turn of events, say they are being inundated with questions about best dates and timings for visa interviews, career choices from students who have scored poorly in their HSC exams and even those that focus on questions they might face in interviews.

The admission process has started in schools and colleges across Mumbai. This is also the time when most students prepare to travel abroad to pursue higher education. Subhas Kotak, 62, a Charni Road-based astrologer said, “I offer solutions to students who are hoping to get their visa to go abroad. I tell them to offer rice to Lord Shiva. This is supposed to be auspicious. Their chances improve thereafter.”