The beliefs regarding eclipses have seen a sea change among Gen X, as was evident during the partial solar eclipse yesterday
The beliefs regarding eclipses have seen a sea change among Gen X, as was evident during the partial solar eclipse yesterday
Though human beings from time immemorial beheld celestial phenomenon including eclipses in fear and awe, ancient practices, beliefs and superstition surrounding these occurrences have all but vanished from the minds of the new generation.
After the solar eclipse, a devotee gives a holy dip to her granddaughter at Banganga in Walkeshwar yesterday
The partial solar eclipse yesterday between 12:10 pm and 4:30 pm - although not visible above Mumbai but many other parts of North India and the world - did not indicate of any such superstition, fear or belief in the minds of youngsters.
Mid Day speaks to youngsters about their take on the celestial phenomena.
Vasudha Iyer (21), a Japanese-language student, said, "There are certain spiritual energies that people can tap into during any eclipse. I believe these energies affect us and things around us and that is why people refrain from eating during an eclipse."
Iyer also said that her family adds 'Darbey' - a particular leaf to their food for purification, "The tradition in our family is to add Darbey while preparing food and after pooja, we offer the food to the underprivileged."
Harsh Shah, an employee with an event management company was breaking his fast with chaat around 4.30 PM when Mid Day met him. "My whole family is fasting today.
From two in the afternoon till four, we did not eat or drink anything, not even water. When asked why, he said, "My mom told us to observe this fast because of the solar eclipse."
Harshvardhan Shukla, a final year student of computer applications joked, "I do not care whether the sun is eclipsed or not. Isn't it supposed to be cooler if the earth is shielded from the sun by the moon? It is still hot after all!"
Sayli Adhatrao, a student of M D College, was relaxing with friends and eating Chinese fast food by the wayside during the afternoon. When asked, she said, "We do not observe anything because of an eclipse, we were not even aware there is an eclipse happening somewhere."
Expert speak
According to Piyush Pandey, Director of Nehru Planetarium, during the eclipse almost 85% of the sun was eclipsed by the moon and was best viewed in the Swedish town of Stockholm and some other European Countries, where stunning images were captured on camera.
He added, "Several North Indian cities were able to view the eclipse, but not Mumbai since it was not in the path of the moon's partial shadow. The eclipse started at 12.10 pm and ended by 4.30 pm in the afternoon and was visible in Delhi, Jaipur, Chandigarh and Nainital."
Ek Cutting!
The story
According to legend, during the Samudra Manthan, the demon Rahu drank some of the divine nectar. But before the nectar could pass his throat, Mohini (the female avatar of Vishnu) cut off his head. The head, however, remained immortal. It is believed that this immortal head occasionally swallows the sun or the moon, causing eclipses. Then, the sun or moon passes through the opening at the neck, ending the eclipse.
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