Thaindian News

By Imran Khan
Taregna (Bihar), July 22 (IANS) The overcast skies cast a dampener and the rare celestial event unfolded behind rain clouds, disappointing the many thousands from India and the world. But the clouds did part momentarily to let the crowds glimpse the century’s longest solar eclipse. And for some that was enough.

As the morning skies darkened into night over the village, touted as the best place to watch the eclipse, a moved Gaurav Singh said: “It was a memorable moment when I saw the skies dim into night in the early morning and the solar eclipse reached its totality.”

The college student, who spent a sleepless night at a ground in Taregna, 35 km from the state capital Patna, did feel let down and said he missed the opportunity of a life time. But even that fleeting glimpse of the phenomenon, which will next be seen after 123 years, was enough, he said.

A cheer went up as the crowds that had given up on watching anything suddenly saw the eclipsed sun through the clouds.

It was the moment they had almost given up on.

Belgian Mitchell Mark had been chasing the eclipse for 10 years - and missed it again.

“I missed a total eclipse in Europe in 1999 and missed it again this time,” said Mark, one amongst a group of Belgian tourists.

Disappointed but philosophical, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar added: “It is all part of nature’s play. Whatever we experienced was not bad.”

Nitish Kumar, who stressed that it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, spent a busy two hours at the newly constructed referral hospital, where arrangements had been made for scientists and experts, among others, to watch the eclipse that began at 5.20 a.m. just after sunrise.

The total eclipse lasted for three minutes and 48 seconds at Taregna, which hit national and international headlines as the celestial phenomenon was believed to be best glimpsed from here.

“We were betrayed by the clouds,” said a dejected Abdul Hakim who had come with his family and friends all the way from Kolkata.

His friend Apurba Roy said it was a big setback. “We came to Taregna to enjoy a total solar eclipse but the wish remained unfulfilled,” said Roy, a businessman.

Taregna has an ancient connection with astronomy, having been one of the two places used by 6th century Indian astronomer-mathematician Aryabhatta for his celestial studies. It is believed he was the first to announce — after his marathon research in an observatory at Taregna — that the earth revolves around the sun.