Indian myths and superstitions around the solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse, one of the biggest astronomical phenomenons ever, is going to happen today. It will be visible across the United States of America for the first time after 99 years.

And while people in India won't be able to witness it--it is set to occur between 9.15 pm and 2.34 am--there are a number of religious rituals that will be followed to the T.

Why? Eclipses or grahan are considered to be inauspicious according to the Hindu mythology. The sun, which is worshipped as a major life force in the universe, disappears during the solar eclipse, making it an omen of all things evil. Naturally then, a number of rituals are conducted to minimise the negative effects of this natural phenomenon.

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. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/stufftoblowyourmind.com

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.

Rituals that protect and purify
Rahu kaal is definitely considered to be highly inauspicious. Superstitions surrounding the eclipses state that harmful agents are at play during these periods, and so, every action should be guided by the utmost caution during eclipses. The absence of the sun's rays can increase the amount of bacteria and germs in the atmosphere, thereby polluting people.

Here are some of the things that people do and don't do during solar eclipses:
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.

You may or may not believe in these superstitions around the total solar eclipse, but they manage to comfort those who believe in mythical celestial events find comfort in them.

(Source: India Today)

Mystery planet Nibiru might collide with Earth: Conspiracy theory claims solar eclipse will mark the end of our world

Aliens of mystery planet Nibiru created human race, and now, the planet is about to collide with Earth in September, say conspiracy theorists. We might die in 45 days, if the theory comes true.

If conspiracy theorists are to be believed, a planet will clash with Earth in September. To further reaffirm this, they believe that the coming solar eclipse will call for the apocalypse.

On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will witness an eclipse of the sun for the first time in 99 years, where Moon will pass in front of the sun, casting darkness across swathes of the Earth's surface.

It is called the Great American Eclipse and is a once-in-a-lifetime celestial spectacle.

David Meade, who authored 'Planet X - The 2017 Arrival' asserts that the planet, Nibiru, also know as Planet X, will crash into Earth on September 23, 2017.

If one is to believe in that, then you have some 40 days to find a bunker and store essentials like food and water, maybe books to feed the soul for whatever days you are left with.

But then, one is sent into a fix because scientists deny Nibiru's existence.

However, Meade believes -- or is rather convinced -- that he is right, after having stumbled upon some passages from The Bible to justify his claims.

Meade earlier said that Nibiru will mark the end of Earth in October, but now he has fixed his mind on September, only until he changes his mind again.

THE BIBLE PASSAGES AND CONSPIRACY THEORISTS
According to media reports, Meade and other conspiracy theorists don't have evidence to keep their theory erect, but are leaning on passages from The Bible to support their theory.

They claim that The Bible passages and the solar eclipse's existence support the idea that the end of times is approaching.

Meade told a news portal this month, "The Great American Eclipse of August 21, 2017, is a major - huge - harbinger."

The conspiracy theorist points to warnings in the Old Testament book of Isaiah, Chapter 13, Verses 9 to 10, which reads, "See, the Day of the Lord is coming - a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger - to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.

"The Stars of Heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising Sun will be darkened and the Moon will not give its light."

Meade says this passage is connected to what he has dubbed the "33 Convergence", where a strand of coincidences all include the number 33.

UNDERSTANDING THE 33 CONVERGENCE BETTER TAKING HELP OF THE BIBLE
"When the eclipse begins on August 21, the sunrise will be dark, just as Isaiah predicts," Meade says.

"The moon involved is called a black moon. These occur about every 33 months. In the Bible, the divine name of Elohim appears 33 times in Genesis.

He added: "The eclipse will start in Lincoln Beach, Oregon - the 33rd state - and end on the 33rd degree of Charleston, South Carolina. Such a solar eclipse has not occurred since 1918, which is 99 years - or 33 times three."

Thirty three days after the US' total solar eclipse - on the 23 September - the stars will align just as the book of Revelation says they will, before the world ends.

"This indeed is an amazing omen and a frightful sign," according to Meade.

NIBIRU, CREATION OF EARTH AND ALIENS
NASA has debunked the unseen planet. Nibiru, or Planet X, was first mentioned in 1976 by Zecharia Sitchin in his cult book 'The 12th Planet'.

The mysterious planet is believed to be home to a race of ancient aliens called the Annunaki, who are thought to be behind the creation of human race.

Author of the UFO Investigations Manual -- Nigel Watson -- supports Sitchin's idea.

"Nibiru collided with a planet called Tiamat that was situated between Mars and Jupiter. The result was the creation of the asteroid belt and planet Earth.

"Nibiru is populated by the Anunnaki, an advanced humanoid race, who visited Earth thousands of years to mine gold in Africa.

"As an outcome of needing workers to carry out these mining operations they used genetics to create Homo Sapiens," Watson said.

The prediction has been wandering around us since decades but the Nibiru prediction of it colliding with earth has definitely caught the attention of many.

However, these doomsday predictions have never actually materialised.

(Source: India Today)