Solar Eclipse on Jan 26 and July 22 2009

A partial solar eclipse, Surya Grahan, will be visible in southeastIndiaon 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 Amavasi 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

All Hindu temples remain closed during Surya Grahan and will reopen only after the Grahan after conducting special pujas and rituals. On the day, Hindus also take holy dip in River Ganga and Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra.

Usually, religious Hindus do not perform any work during Surya Grahan and they purify themselves by taking a bath and chants the Ashtakshara Mantra dedicated to Shri Krishna. Ashtakshara mantra is ‘Shri Krishna ha sharnam mama.’

There is also a Total Solar Eclipse on July 22, 2009.

Caution: During Surya Grahan, there are also some elements in society who take undue advantage of innocent Hindus in the name of astrology. Ancient Hindu saints only talk about the physical harm Surya Grahanam can create on human beings. Put the thinking cap and keep out unwanted elements who try to take undue advantage during such occasions. The only aim of such people is money.

( Image Taken from NASA's Web Site)

Effects of Solar Eclipse

The Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse) that is going to take place on January 26, 2009 is being considered as bad for India by several astrologers. Many astrologers are of the opinion that the Suryagrahan will have a negative impact on the political setup inIndia and it might give rise to instability on the economic front. Nothing good is being predicted. All astrological predictions are talking about ill effects. The Surya Grahan will coincide with Mauni Amavasya (No moon day in Magh Month as per traditional calendar Hindu followed in North India).

Some astrologers are also opinion that there might be earth quakes, attacks, violence etc as the result of the Surya Grahan.

To make things worse, there is a Chandra Grahan on February 9, 2009.

According to many astrologers, Surya entered the Makara (Capricorn) on January 14 during Makar Sankranti. Rahu, Budh and Brihaspati are also currently residing in the Makar. And Rahu and Brihaspati are in a moving in a direction opposite to that of the Earth and this will result in Guru Chandal Yog.

This is not a healthy sign because it results in unrest, violence and instability. The position will also cause economic hardships.

The bad effect of the Surya Grahan will last for six months.

The Surya Grahan is occurring in the midst of Amavasya and Magh Snan bathing after a gap of more than two decades.

There are numerous recording of Surya Grahan, or Solar Eclipse, in Hindu scriptures. The most famous being the Suryagrahan during the famous Mahabharata war. Usually, Hindus do not perform any work during Surya Grahan and they purify themselves by taking a bath and chant mantras. A complete fast is undertaken by many Hindus during the period. In Hindu religion, taking a holy dip at sacred rivers and tirths on the Surya Grahan day is considered highly auspicious.

The next Surya Grahan is on January 26, 2009 from from 10:26 hrs to 16:30 hrs (Indian Standard Time).

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 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.

* Note : All the material are taken from hindu-blog.com. For further information, Please do visit the same.