Ranchi had an uneasy wake-up on Sunday morning, scared and excited over one of the longest celestial sun-block of the last two decades.
The elaborate cosmic arrangements continued to conjure people trusting God and prophecy of divine and rational who rather checked updates of NASA. The constant celestial dance of Sun and Moon continued for 3.33 hours from 10.36 AM sharp to 2.09 PM.
The Sun was locked between unworldly power and very worldly prediction. “The impact of a solar eclipse will vary from person to person based on the position of planets in their birth chart as well as the zodiac sign they have taken birth. Those who will take birth during this period may face evil impacts of Grahan yoga that affects well being and fortune of the person. This is because of the reason that the Sun has completely been grabbed by Rahu and Ketu. The eclipse will have an impact on the entire world like an outbreak of pandemic, earthquake and war. There are few things which are completely prohibited during the eclipse period like eating and also don’t look towards the Sun. Pregnant women should take due care,†said wizened astrologer Balanand Bramchari.
The sky turned into a theatre of astral show of great lunar intervention.
“You may call it just an astral incident that astrologers may define differently but all will agree that the sky has become a theatre of pure black magic that I would have loved to watch,†said Prashant Harsh, a B. Tech student.
But the weather spoiled the show as Ranchi witnessed an unfortunate masking of the Sun by thick clouds leaving spectators dismayed.
Right from common people to weathermen, astronomers, physicists, geologists and others all had telescoped their attention on the rare concatenation.
“I was curious to watch the eclipse but on Saturday evening when we analyzed and released weather for Jharkhand for Sunday it became clear that clouds will prevent the show in Ranchi,†Dr. S. D. Kotal who scientist cum director of India Meteorological Department posted in Ranchi.
It kept raining throughout the day. “My mother told me that in 2009 a similar sun eclipse had taken place in 2009. From the past couple of days I was excited to watch this. My uncle had sent me special glasses to watch the Sun. I hoped clouds will scatter away and I will be able to see morning turning dark and the Sun emerging as a ring of fire. I am hugely disappointed because rain robbed the great show,†said Ishika; a class 10th student.
Some of them had even occupied top of the hills of the city capital but they scaled down sulking, and cursing rain. “Don’t know how eclipse will impact our life? We are already scared by Covid 19 and the lockdown. I just pray that this year passes off peacefully. Some news channels and scientists are claiming that this eclipse will inactivate Covid 19 virus. I believe in science and divine equally but I don’t know whether this claim is scientifically proven or not. All of us are locked inside the home and we are praying for the wellbeing and prosperity,†said homemaker Sabita Mishra.
Gods were taken into due precautions ahead of penumbra of portents called eclipse could cast. But then the celestial show was over and people sighed relief at passing of evil. Devotees trudged at temples closed due to lockdown.
There was no ripple of bells, no gathering and loud chanting of mantras. They returned home after quietly offering prayers.
The life under the lockdown quietly returned to business after portent released the Sun— back to the shops, back to daily drudgery and in hunt for bread and butter.
