Surya Grahanam - 26 January 2009

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Sky gazers in some parts of India will get an opportunity to observe

a partial solar eclipse Jan 26.The eclipse, first for the year, will

start at 2.15 p.m. Monday and end by 4 p.m.

 

" The eclipse will be visible only from southern parts of India,

eastern coast, most of northeast India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

and Lakshadweep. People in north and west India will miss the

celestial activity, " N. Rathnasree, director Nehru Planetarium, told

IANS.

 

The origin of the eclipse will be in south Atlantic Ocean in South

Africa where the moon's shadow will first touch the earth, the

official said. The eclipse ends when the moon's shadow finally leaves

the earth in the South China Sea.

" People can watch the solar eclipse using proper eye gadgets and

telescope as it is harmful to view it with naked eyes, " Rathnasree

said.

 

The next solar eclipse will occur July 22 this year and will be the

century's longest duration total solar eclipse.

" The path of the totality of the eclipse will pass through India and

people across the country will be able to observe it, " Rathnasree

added.

 

A partial solar eclipse, Surya Grahan, will be visible in southeast

India on January 26, 2009. According to NASA, the solar eclipse on

January 26 is an Annular Eclipse. A partial eclipse will be seen in

southern third of Africa, Madagascar, Australia, Southeast India,

Southeast Asia and Indonesia. In India it will be visible from 10:26

hrs to 16:31 hrs (Indian Standard Time) on January 26, 2009. As per

traditional Hindu calendar, January 26 is an Amavasya Day.

 

In India, Partial Solar Eclipse will be visible in Kerala, parts of

Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, parts of Jharkhand,

West Bengal and northeastern states. At Chennai, the Surya Grahan

will begin at 14:28 hrs. The greatest phase will be at 15:19 hrs and

it will end at 16:05 hrs.

 

THIS GRAHANAM AFFECTS FOLLOWING STARS UTTIRASHADA, SHRAVANA,

DHANISHTA, ROHINI AND HASTHA. YOU MAY DO YOUR DAANAM AND DONATIONS

FOR DOSHA PARIHARA.

(You can find more detail time around the world in this article)

 

India

Bangalore – From 14:33 to 15:57

Maximum Eclipse will be at 15:17 (local time)

Kolkata – From 15:01 to 15:58

Maximum Eclipse will be at 15:30 (local time)

Chennai – From 14:29 to 16:05

Maximum Eclipse will be at 15:19 (local time)

Australia

Adelaide - From 19:01 to 19:58

Maximum Eclipse will be at 19:00 (local time)

Sydney - From 19:42 to setting sun

Maximum Eclipse will be at 19:59 (local time)

Indonesia

Jakarta - From 15:20 to 17:50

Maximum Eclipse will be at 16:41 (local time)

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur – From 16:32 to 18:59

Maximum Eclipse will be at 17:51 (local time)

Singapore

From 16:30 to 18:58

Maximum Eclipse will be at 17:49 (local time)

Sri Lanka

From 14:03 to 16:12

Maximum Eclipse will be at 15:12 (local time)

South Africa

Johannesburg – From 07:06 to 09:46

Maximum Eclipse will be at 08:19 (local time)

Thailand

Bangkok – From 15:53 to 17:59

Maximum Eclipse will be at 17:00 (local time)

Bangladesh

From 15:33 to 16:29

Maximum Eclipse will be at 16:02

 

Ancient sages and texts like Brahman Siddhanta restrict viewing the

eclipse – one should look at an eclipse through a cloth or a

reflection of it. A pregnant woman should never look directly at an

eclipse.

 

Mantras Chanted during Surya Grahan

Some of the important mantras that are chanted during the Surya

Grahan include:

Gayatri Mantra

Ashtakshara Mantra dedicated to Shri Krishna. Ashtakshara mantra

is `Shri Krishna ha sharnam mama.' Astakshari Mantra is also taken

as `Om Namoh Narayan Na Yah.'

Mahamrityunjay Mantra is also chanted during eclipse.

Other mantras chanted are Surya Kavach Strotra and Aditya Hridaya

Strotram

 

It is very very important that one chants mantra or remember god in

any form at this time to keep calm and the aura clean.

Hindu Temples Remain Closed

 

All Hindu Temples remain closed during Surya Grahan. Temples open

only after proper rituals are performed to get rid of the ill effects

of the Surya Grahan. However, some Lord Shiva temples remain open

during Surya Grahan as Lord Shiva is considered as `Layakara,' who

Himself is an embodiment of darkness.

 

Fasting During Surya Grahan

Adult Hindus stop eating 12 hours before a solar eclipse. Children,

old people and those who are ill stop eating 3 hours before the

beginning of a solar eclipse. If the solar eclipse ends after sunset,

then people fast during night and consume food only next day morning.

One should not take food at the time of Grahan because it is said

that at this time the most harmful rays from the sun can be seen and

absorbed.

 

Pregnant Woman and Surya Grahan

Normally at the time of Surya Grahan, pregnant women are supposed to

not come out of the house, with no sunlight entering either by doors

or windows. This is to avoid harmful rays. You can find more detail

regarding Surya Grahan and Pregnancy in this article.

 

Story of Surya Grahan and Chandra Grahanam in Hindu Religion

Surya Grahan, solar eclipse, is widely mentioned in the Holy

Scriptures of Hinduism. There is also an interesting myth regarding

the occurrence of Surya Grahan. It happened during the Samdura

Manthan (churning of ocean) episode in the Puranas. Rahu (Demon) and

Mohini, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, are the main characters in the

incident.

 

The Amrit (elixir) that was obtained from churning the ocean was

cunningly stolen by Ausras (Demons). Lord Vishnu took the form of

Mohini, a beautiful damsel, to win back the Amrit. She achieved her

mission by enamoring the Asuras, they fell for her beauty and handed

over the Amrit to her.

 

Mohini returned to the Devas and started distributing it. Devas sat

in a line and mohini gave a portion to each one of them. Rahu, an

Asura, who found out that they were tricked took the form a Deva and

sat in the line between Chandra (Moon God) and Surya (Sun God).

When Mohini approached Rahu, Chandra and Surya realized that Rahu was

not one among them and soon identified him as an Asura. Mohini soon

severed the head of Rahu which flew into the sky. Rahu's, depicted in

the form of a Snake head occasionally, continued to live and decided

to avenge Surya and Chandra.

 

Thus periodically Rahu engages in a war with Surya and Chandra. The

Chandra Grahan (Lunar eclipse) and Surya Grahan (Solar eclipse) takes

place when Rahu gobbles up Moon and Sun respectively. Surya and

Chandra then fights to free themselves