Solar eclipse occurs when moon passes between the Sun and the Earth. This happens during a new moon when the sun and moon are in conjunction as witnessed from earth. The Solar Eclipse happening on June 22^nd is an eclipse of a life time as it is not a partial solar eclipse but a full one (sampoorna surya grahanam or Total Solar Eclipse) with the eclipse’s maximum duration of totality of around six minutes and 39 seconds and will not be surpassed in duration until June 13, 2132. Millions of people in India, China, and other parts of Asia will witness this total solar eclipse on July 22, 2009. The Total solar eclipse will start around 5:28 AM and ends at 7:40 AM on Wednesday July 22, 2009 and can be witnessed in thirteen states in India. This Solar Eclipse has special significance to Hindus and astrologically.

This Eclipse should not be watched with Naked Eye.For Solar Eclipse enthusiasts in India there is a chartered passenger plane organized by Cox & Kings which will fly from Delhi to Patna via Gaya to get a perfect view of the Eclipse from a height of 41,000ft during the three-hour-thirty-minute-long flight. The cost of a window seat is INR 81,000 and the other seats are priced at INR 29,000. Those who cannot catch or afford the eclipse flight can also watch the eclipse using the special sunglasses, telescopes and binoculars at Nehru Planetarium. Otherwise too we have the option of TV and Internet to watch this grant event, right?

This Solar Eclipse has special significance as the Solar Eclipse happening on 22 July, 2009 is the first Solar Eclipse in this new Hindu year and also falls in the holy month of Sravan. Eclipse time is also considered very auspicious for spiritual practices. Hindu Temples except some Shiva Temples remain closed during the Eclipse and open only after proper rituals are performed to get rid of the ill effects of the Surya Grahan.

Astrologically this Eclipse may have some negative effects for six months on those with Zodiac Signs of Aries, Leo, Cancer and Sagittarius. This Surya Grahan would be benefic for people born under the sun sign of Taurus, Virgo, Libra and Aquarius. This Eclipse would have average results for those having Gemini, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces Zodiac Signs. It may also be noted that this eclipse is part of the Triple Eclipse between 7^th July 2009 to 6^th August 2009 out of which a Lunar Eclipse happened on July 7, 2009 and another lunar eclipse would be happening on August 6, 2009. This Triple Eclipse would be followed by six sets of such Triple Eclipses that will continue till the year 2020. This fact is looked upon by Astrologers as a sign of destruction based on such earlier occurrences.

Religious minded Hindus bathe in the sacred rivers during the Solar Eclipse and also indulge in charitable acts. Chanting mantras like the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, Om Nama Shivaya Mantra and Shiva Gayatri Mantra during the grahan is said to bring more benefic effects than any other time. One is suggested not to take food during the eclipse. Pregnant women are advised not to see the eclipse as it is believed that the child born may have some kind of defect. So it is better that they do not go out or allow the sunlight to enter either by the doors or windows of the house. Sexual intercourse on the day of the eclipse is also said to result in children with defects.