SOLAR ECLIPSE

WHAT IS A SOLAR ECLIPSE ? 

Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is smaller than the Sun's, blocking most of the Sun's light and causing the Sun to look like an annulus (ring). An annular eclipse appears as a partial eclipse over a region of the Earth thousands of kilometres wide.

21June 2020:-

Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse June 21: Partial Solar Eclipse has started in Delhi as moon made first contact and started covering the Sun over the national capital from 10.20 AM. This is 2020’s first solar eclipse or Surya Grahan. The solar eclipse is expected to last for around 6 hours in India starting at 9:15 am early in the morning. The Full Ring of Fire view will be visible across north India especially in north Rajasthan, Kurukshetra in Haryana, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. These places will witness the majestic view of the Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse. Solar Eclipse in India will end at 03:04 PM in the afternoon after Sun will come out of Moon’s shadow totally over Assam. This solar eclipse is classified as annular solar eclipse or Ring of Fire. Moon’s shadow will turn the sun into a ring of fire like shape with a major part of the Sun hidden by the presence of the moon. This time, the moon will hide almost 70% area of the sun leaving the rest to appear like a ring of fire around the silhouette of the Moon.

HIGHLIGHTS:-

• This is the first solar eclipse of 2020
• Its going to be an annular solar eclipse, where a ring of fire is formed
• Next annular solar eclipse will take place in June 2021

"THE SUN, THE MOON AND THE DEMON, RAHU"

The story of eclipses in Hindu mythology dates back to the samudra manthan, as described in both Bhagawat and Vishnu Puranas. After the amrit or elixir of immortality was churned out of the ocean, the Devas used the apsara Mohini to trick the Asuras out of its share. One of the Asuras, Svarbhanu, disguised himself as a Deva, and sat between the Sun and the Moon for a drink of the elixir.

When Vishnu came closer, the Sun and the Moon revealed that Svarbhanu was a demon. By this time, however, Svarbhanu had already sipped on the drink. Vishnu immediately cut off his head, but since the demon had already swallowed a bit of the nectar, his head became immortal.

The demon Rahu eats the Sun. Picture for representational purpose. 

The head, known as a separate entity called Rahu (the detached body came to be known as Ketu), then swore vengeance against the Sun and the Moon for depriving him of the elixir. So, from time to time, Rahu catches up with the Sun and the Moon, and swallows them. The incident doesn't last long because Rahu has no hands to grab onto these two celestial gods.

Indian myths and superstitions around the solar eclipse :-

1. Worshipping or touching gods is strictly prohibited during this period. Even temple doors usually stay closed during eclipses. After the eclipse ends, the idols are supposed to be washed with Ganga water to purify them.

2. Meditation, chanting hymns or mantras and singing devotional songs during an eclipse are supposed to protect one from the evil effects.

3. The rules dictate that no food should be cooked during the eclipse. Leftovers are finished off before the period of the eclipse. Some people in India leave tulsi or Indian basil leaves on cooked food items, and cover them to keep them safe.

4. Sleeping, urination, defecation, sexual intercourse and makeup are also prohibited during the Eclipse.

5. Pregnant women are considered to be especially susceptible to the evil forces during eclipses. Not only are they supposed to abstain from activities like cutting vegetables and stitching clothes, but in some parts of India, they're not even supposed to sit with their legs crossed.

6. After the eclipse is over, people are directed to take a bath, and change into fresh and clean clothes. Sprinkling of Ganga water or taking a dip in the Ganga is also supposed to wash away the evil done by the eclipse.

While natural phenomenons like solar and lunar eclipses have been explained by science and scientists in details--even Aryabhata, the Indian scientist, gave the perfect scientific explanation for it in the fifth century--religion lies in the domain of faith in the unknown.

Note:- 

 #InternationalYogaDay, #SolarEclipse and #FathersDay , all on the same day. So, you can worship the sun, admire the sun, as well as be a good son.