Total Eclipse of the Heart

As you may have heard, this past week there was a total solar eclipse. In fact, this total solar eclipse was the longest of the 21st Century and will not be surpassed in duration for 123 years. What you may have also heard is that this was an especially big deal in India for various reasons. The first reason being that there were several cities throughout India where the total solar eclipse was clearly visible. However, in Bangalore, it was only a partial solar eclipse and it took place at 5:30am, thus I was not awake to check it out. Subsequent to the eclipse, though, I found out that there was some extreme cloud cover and you really couldn't see it all that well.

Another reason this was a big deal is due to the impact on Hinduism of a solar eclipse, also known as Surya Grahan in Hindu scriptures. Exactly what impact did it have on the Hindu contingent you ask? Here are some guidelines they followed:

• Avoid or postpone to perform any important tasks or deal during the eclipse day
• Fasting is reccomended beginning 12 hours prior to eclipse
• Avoid eatables from outside.
• Avoid cooking during the eclipse timing.
• Keep the food and eatables closed during the time of eclipse.
• Perform ritual bath after the eclipse is over.
• Temples remain closed until rituals are performed to rid of the ill effects.
• Pregnant women should not leave the house, and also no sunlight should enter by doors or windows in order to avoid the harmful rays.

More to come in a future post of more things I have learned about Hinduism thus far.