BANGALORE, India—India, China, and the Asia Pacific region witnessed what has been called the biggest scientific event of the Year of Astronomy on July 22.
The longest solar eclipse of the century was best seen from Varanasi, a city on the bank of India’s Ganges River. Thousands of people gathered in the holy city of Varanasi to take a dip in the river while offering prayers to the sun god, a ritual believed to cleanse the soul.
In India, a solar eclipse is considered by some to be an auspicious phenomenon, and by others as inauspicious. Rituals are performed in either case.
A special ritual known as a homa is held, which involves making an offering to a consecrated fire, followed by the performance of the Suryagrahana (solar eclipse) puja rite and the chanting of hymns. Resident Sandhya Shenoy explained, “It is believed if we chant prayers from the beginning of the solar eclipse to the end, it helps to reduce our problems. Prayers are also offered to the tulsi [holy basil] plant.
Shenoy added, “After we complete this ritual we visit the temple. The house is kept very clean and fresh food is cooked after the eclipse as it is inauspicious to prepare food during an eclipse. During the solar eclipse no food is taken. We also take a bath immediately after the eclipse. Pregnant ladies are also forbidden from leaving the house during this time.”
Another resident, Bhagwan Devnani, said, “The city looked absolutely empty as there was no one on the roads and no traffic. The whole place looked deserted as I went to the park to do exercises.”
According to NASA, the total solar eclipse lasted for about 6 minutes and 39 seconds. The incredible diamond ring effect was clearly visible during its peak. The phenomenon occurs just before the sun disappears or just after the sun emerges from behind the moon. The diamond ring effect is seen when only one bead of sunlight is left and the sun is completely covered by the silhouette of the moon.
A special chartered aircraft was sent to cover the solar eclipse from 35,000 feet above. The event lasted about 2 hours from 5:28 a.m. to about 7:28 a.m. It reached its peak of visibility at about 6:24 a.m. The total solar eclipse was also clearly visible from other cities in North India like Surat, Vadodara, Indore, Bhopal and Debrugah. A total solar eclipse such as this one will only be seen again after 123 years.
The longest solar eclipse of the century was best seen from Varanasi, a city on the bank of India’s Ganges River. Thousands of people gathered in the holy city of Varanasi to take a dip in the river while offering prayers to the sun god, a ritual believed to cleanse the soul.
In India, a solar eclipse is considered by some to be an auspicious phenomenon, and by others as inauspicious. Rituals are performed in either case.
A special ritual known as a homa is held, which involves making an offering to a consecrated fire, followed by the performance of the Suryagrahana (solar eclipse) puja rite and the chanting of hymns. Resident Sandhya Shenoy explained, “It is believed if we chant prayers from the beginning of the solar eclipse to the end, it helps to reduce our problems. Prayers are also offered to the tulsi [holy basil] plant.
Shenoy added, “After we complete this ritual we visit the temple. The house is kept very clean and fresh food is cooked after the eclipse as it is inauspicious to prepare food during an eclipse. During the solar eclipse no food is taken. We also take a bath immediately after the eclipse. Pregnant ladies are also forbidden from leaving the house during this time.”
Another resident, Bhagwan Devnani, said, “The city looked absolutely empty as there was no one on the roads and no traffic. The whole place looked deserted as I went to the park to do exercises.”
According to NASA, the total solar eclipse lasted for about 6 minutes and 39 seconds. The incredible diamond ring effect was clearly visible during its peak. The phenomenon occurs just before the sun disappears or just after the sun emerges from behind the moon. The diamond ring effect is seen when only one bead of sunlight is left and the sun is completely covered by the silhouette of the moon.
A special chartered aircraft was sent to cover the solar eclipse from 35,000 feet above. The event lasted about 2 hours from 5:28 a.m. to about 7:28 a.m. It reached its peak of visibility at about 6:24 a.m. The total solar eclipse was also clearly visible from other cities in North India like Surat, Vadodara, Indore, Bhopal and Debrugah. A total solar eclipse such as this one will only be seen again after 123 years.
