#LunarEclipse2020 | ‘Chandra Grahan’ on Decade's First Full Moon; Magh Mela Commences in Prayagraj
Read: weather.com/en-IN/india/ne…
📸: BCCL, Ahmedabad
Read: weather.com/en-IN/india/ne…
📸: BCCL, Ahmedabad
The decade’s first full moon is here and along with it come the decade’s first lunar eclipse. The ‘wolf moon eclipse’ is set to capture the attention of the eastern part of the world on Friday night.
In India, the eclipse will be visible across the country for more than four hours between 10:37 pm on January 10 and last till 2:42 am on January 11. Maximum eclipse is likely to be visible at around 12:41 am on January 11.
“In the Hindu calendar, this full Moon is Shakambhari Purnima, the last day in the eight-day Shakambari Navratri holiday that celebrates the goddess Shakambhari.
In the Purnimanta tradition that ends the months on the on full Moon day, this full Moon (Purnima) is Paush Purnima, the last day of the Hindu month Paush.
The day after Paush Purnima is the start of the month Magha, a period of austerity,” explains the US agency NASA explaining the cultural significance of this full moon.
The annual religious congregation, the Magh Mela—began on Friday in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Taking the holy bath, particularly in Ganga or Jamuna, is considered sacred during both Shakambari Navratri and Magha, more so on Paush Purnima.
Magh Mela commences on the day of Paush Purnima and goes on for more than 40 days. On the first day, on Friday, more than 40 lakh devotees are expected to take the holy bath at Sangam.
Further, on the new moon day of January 24 (Mauni Amavasya), the number of people attending the Mela may go beyond two crores.
There are 3 more penumbral lunar eclipses lined up this year—one each in June, July, and November. Only January and June’s eclipses will be visible for entire India, while the eclipse during November will be partially visible in the eastern and northeastern parts of the country.
