Below is a map of the path of the solar eclipse on March 20, 2015. It will NOT be visible from any place in India.
However we will experience a partial lunar eclipse in the first week of next month. And before that hope to post information about the spiritual implications of both Solar and Lunar Eclipses.
One very unique feature at such times at Tiruvannamalai, is that in most cases Temples shut during the period of an Eclipse but Arunachaleswarar Temple does NOT shut during an eclipse. The reason for this is that the Lingam in the Sannidhi is Suyambu -- i.e. naturally formed not manmade.
For the time being all readers living in places that will experience the solar eclipse tomorrow please observe the below safety suggestions.
Permanent eye damage can result from staring or even looking at the disk of the Sun directly, or through a camera viewfinder, or with binoculars or a telescope even when only a thin crescent of the Sun remains. The 1 percent of the Sun's surface still visible is about 10,000 times brighter than the full moon. Staring at the Sun under such circumstances have the same effect on the retina of your eyes than a magnifying glass to focus sunlight onto paper, and eventually burning a hole in it! The retina is delicate and irreplaceable. There is little or nothing a retinal surgeon will be able to do to help you. Never look at the Sun outside of the total phase of an eclipse unless you have adequate protection. Remember, your eyes can be damaged without you feeling any pain.
Another great Meenakshi blog post : )
ReplyDeleteWhat about at Adi Annamalai? Do they keep that temple open as well? I read the scriptures say Girivalam is auspicious during eclipse time, but generally people advise not to venture out. Please clarify.
ReplyDeleteIt is believed to be ALWAYS inauspicious to look at an eclipse. The suggestion is one should stay in a room, shrine room with closed windows and perform mantras, meditation, bhajans. For this one is supposed to receive the greatest merit. As Arunachaleswarar Temple is open during the time of an eclipse, it is allowable to attend puja during an eclipse however will check with Temple priests about particular suggestions regarding girivalam at this time.
DeleteThe lingam at Adi Annamalai is not Suyambu -- i.e. naturally formed not manmade so will have to check so will have to see if there are any other kind of exceptions existing at that Temple during an eclipse.
DeleteChecked with a priest at the Big Temple who is very knowledge about Agama Vidhi. He told me that Arunachaleswarar Temple has to perform a number of very specific pujas during lunar and solar eclipses in order to mitigate any possible negativity during that period. Also as Arunachaleswarar Temple stays open during eclipses, Adi Annamalai, which is under the umbrella of the Big Temple, also has special exemption and are also allowed to stay open during solar and lunar eclipses. Asked the priest about performing girivalam during an eclipse and he gave a resounding "NO. Don't perform girivalam during the period of the eclipse".
DeleteInteresting. One of the puranas or something in a book i read said an eclipse girivalam is auspicious, but maybe it was misinterpreted. I also was surprised that the ramanasram did their vidya havan on the eclipse day.
ReplyDeleteIf you can give the actual verse from the Purana, I will check it specifically with the priest at Arunachaleswarar Temple, who is quite expert in these matters.
DeleteHi Meenakshi. I think it was quoted from the Skanda Purana, but not sure exactly where. I remember reading about this in the book Glory of Arunachala published by the Ramanasram.
DeleteHad a quick look at Chapter 9 of the Skanda Purana -- The Efficacy of the Circumambulation of Arunesvara. Which talks about the ways and most auspicious times to perform girivalam. There was nothing in this chapter on Eclipse. In fact the only mention that was made even of the sun is:
ReplyDeleteOne who circumambulates on Sunday becomes liberated. Piercing through the solar disc, he shall go to Siva’s city.
Siva Purana I.iii.9.57b
There is mention of circumambulation at times of astrological importance i.e.
64b-68a All the stars along with their presiding deities shall become propitious immediately to the person who circumambulates me.
The Tithis (Lunar days), Karanas and Yogas (i.e. peculiar combinations of starts and the Moon) approved of by me shall be the bestowers of the desired benefits on those who circumambulates me.
The different kinds of Muhurtas and Horas (i.e. periods of astrological importance) shall be gentle and conducive t perpetual prosperity of those who circumambulates me. They shall be auspicious always."
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But could not find any mention of Eclipses. If you find a specific reference to it in the Purana, let me know and I will check it with the priest. But he was very clear that girivalam should NOT be performed during an eclipse.
Thanks for this! I will check again for this Puranic reference and let you know - I have to go back through the book again to find it.
ReplyDelete