India

-Solar eclipse brings Maha Kumbh to a standstill

Last updated on: January 15, 2010 17:46 IST

The longest solar eclipse of this millenium was witnessed by a huge crowd at Dhanushkodi, in Tamil Nadu. Dhanushkodi is only 18 kms from Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka. The center line of the eclipse was at sea. Astronomers, students, tourists assembled in Dhanushkodi to get the best view of the event.

The eclipse started at 1100 and lasted till 1500 in the afternoon. The maximum shadow was achieved at 1317 and the sun was seen as a circular line of fire for the next ten minutes. The year 2010 started with an eclipse. Today, January 15th was the second. The year would witness two more eclipses.

The Pragjyati Astronomers Association of Guwahati and the Guwahati Planetarium had sent 5 members to Rameshwaram to witness this celestial phenomenon. The team was led by Professor Anil Kumar Goswami, a former principal of Cottage College Guwahati.

Goswami said, “We chose Rameshwaram because it is closer to the path of the Eclipse. When the ring of fire is visible, we will be looking for granular beads which are seen because of the uneven surface of the Moon. A few moments before and after the maximum shadow there is a possibility of seeing shadow bands. These are caused by differential refraction due to the different layers of the atmosphere.”
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Solar eclipse brings Maha Kumbh to a standstill

Fri, Jan 15 02:24 PM
Snehesh Alex Philip Haridwar, Jan 15 (PTI) The otherwise bustling Maha Kumbh Mela here has come almost to a complete standstill today due to the solar eclipse with doors of temples shut and the devout taking to meditation to ward off what they believe to be an inauspicious period. The ghats, which witnessed several thousands of people taking a holy dip on the occasion of ”Makar Sankranti” yesterday, are now playing host to people performing ”havans” or those meditating.
The enchanting spell of vedic hymns, bells and conch shells, which reverberated throughout the day on Thursday, when the Maha Kumbh began, can no longer be heard. The only sound that seems to echo at the main bathing ghat here ”Hari Ki Pauri” is the cold water of Ganga flowing strong and hitting against the stone steps.
The green coloured iron railing and chains with ”OM” signage above them, which provided the support to the devotees yesterday from being washed away from by the strong current, continues to rattle as they fight the mighty river. (More) PTI SAP NES.

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Haryana expecting 10 lakh pilgrims during solar eclipse

Thu, Jan 14 05:05 PM
Chandigarh, Jan 14 (IANS) Haryana is expecting nearly 10 lakh people to visit the holy city of Kurukshetra on the occasion of solar eclipse Friday, officials said Thursday.
‘About 10 lakh people are likely to visit Kurukshetra on the occasion of solar eclipse. Nineteen special trains and 300 additional buses have been arranged for the conveniences of the pilgrims coming to this city,’ state Chief Secretary Urvashi Gulati said.
She said pilgrims have been visiting this holy place since ancient times during the eclipse to take a dip in the two ‘sarovars’ (ponds) – Sannehit Sarovar and Brahmsarovar to attain salvation.
Duration of the solar eclipse Friday will be from 11.55 a.m. to 3.09 p.m.
Gulati said that adequate arrangements have been made for the safety and security of the pilgrims. Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code had been imposed in the area and extensive checking of the people at entry points was being conducted, she said.
Meanwhile, 70 medical officers, along with para-medical staff and 18 ambulances, have been pressed into service to provide immediate medical care to any person needing it, she added.
Seeing this huge influx of pilgrims, the district administration has also made elaborate arrangements to ensure a smooth flow of traffic and sufficient parking arrangements have been made here.
Indo Asian News Service