Thaindian News

By Meena Kar
Tamil Nadu, Jan 15, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Today, a large number of people in Asia and Africa became the witness of the longest solar eclipse of this century. As per the reports, some places in India were considered to the best place to view the eclipse. It has been reported that people in Tamil Nadu had received the strongest view of the eclipse.

The eclipse reportedly started at Indian time 11:06 a.m. in Friday morning and continued till 3:15 p.m. [approximately]. According to the reports, the eclipse was first seen from southern part of Tamil Nadu. Sources stated that Mizoram was reported as the last place to see the eclipse. As this eclipse is a rare phenomenon, Indian Space Research Organization in a media release stated that they would send rockets for studying the solar eclipse effects. The press release also indicated that Vikram Sarabhai Space Center had the plan for launching four rockets on January 15 for gathering data on this natural phenomenon.

While the researchers in India and abroad are interested to collect information on this solar eclipse many people were seen to chant hymns and mantras during the eclipse period. As the solar eclipse is considered to be an inauspicious event by many religious people in India, the doors of the temples remained closed during the time of eclipse. It has been that the devout, had stopped meditation during this time. Haridwar, which is known for temples of different Hindu gods and goddesses stood still in this time as none of the religious works were performed during the time of eclipse. Though the religious people considered this to be an unholy time, many people were excited to catch a glimpse of the solar eclipse.