Social Activists of

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Solar Eclipse Superstitions V/s Facts

• By
• Social Activists of
• Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti - a local NGO

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Eradication of superstitions from the society
Our Mission
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Our Research Question

• Why should we adopt a scientific approach towards
  celestial phenomena?

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Our Project Objectives

• To study eclipse from different perspectives
  astrologer and astronomer.
• To become aware about the beliefs, superstitions
  regarding eclipse.
• To design and execute a systematic action plan
  to create awareness in the community

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Our Research Model

• Read Vedh Akashacha a book by renowned
  Astrophysicist Dr. Jayant Naralikar
• Visit Nehru Planetarium, Mumbai
• Interview Astrologer
• General Observations
• Administer Questionnaire on 10 people in our
  community.
• Interview Dr. Prakash Tupe, an expert in
  Astronomy
• Research on internet

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Survey Data
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Distribution of respondents according to age
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Distribution of data according to sex
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Distribution of data according to beliefs
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Distribution of data according to beliefs
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Distribution of data according to beliefs
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Our Analysis

• Most of the people who practice superstitious
  belief have no rationale behind it.
• The practices are mostly prevalent among
  illiterates however even educated people are
  following the practices.
• The practice was learnt from the ancestors
• Out of fear and worry People turn to God
• Astrologers and temple priests have perpetuated
  the beliefs for their vested interest.
• People are not aware about the scientific facts
  about solar and lunar eclipse.

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Learning from Astronomer

• Eclipse is one of the simplest and spectacular
  celestial phenomenon which is a play of shadows
  created by movement of the Sun, the Moon and the
  Earth orbiting around each other.
• It is a natural phenomenon and has nothing to do
  with omen-good or bad
• It no way impacts human life .

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Learning from Astrologer

• Rampant blind beliefs and superstitions
  associated with eclipses which tell us
• Eclipses are bad omens so no good work to be done
• Food gets contaminated during an eclipse
• hence, One must not eat and throw away all the
  food
• Air gets poisoned hence one must not step out of
  the house
• One must bathe in a holy river immediately after
  an eclipse
• A baby born during an eclipse is unlucky
• One must give some alms danaa to get rid of the
  eclipse and its ill effects
• Penance, Havans and donations to priests can give
  salvage to all from the ill effects of eclipses

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Observations during Field Trip

• During field trip, we observed
• Solar system and its functions
• Solar eclipse
• Lunar eclipse
• Earth rotation
• Earth revolution
• These observation gave us insight into the
  functioning of celestial bodies.

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General Observation

• People are very anxious
• Worried about bad omen setting in
• During this day people avoid all auspicious and
  religious events.
• Offer prayers to God to save them from the bad
  omen
• They spend lots of money in offering special
  poojas (prayers).

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We believe

• The key solution to eradicate age old
  superstitions exploiting the society
• Education and Awareness
• Bridging the communication gap between science
  and laymen
• Help people understand why and how are they
  getting exploited
• Help people to adopt scientific approach

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Conclusion

• There is nothing evil, inauspicious or bad about
  eclipses.
• If we are affected by an eclipse then we are
  affected by it as much as we are affected by
  gravity of the Earth.
• Like no local priest can perform a Pooja
  (worship) that can enable us to fly, no Pooja is
  available to placate eclipses
• Knowledge sets us free from fears, anxieties and
  exploitation so, let us be aware!
• Let us not be victims by consent

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We are thankful to -

• Our School Principal
• Our Guide Mrs. Shilpa Bhagwat
• Parents for their support
• Vedh Akashacha by Dr. Jayant Naralikar
• Nehru Planetarium, Mumbai
• Dr. Prakash Tupe, expert in Astronomy

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We are thankful to -

• www.avakashvedah.com
• http--www_salagram_net-solar-eclipse_gif.htm
• httpencyclopedia.laborlawtalk.htm
• http//www.kodak.com/global/images/en/consumer/pro
  ducts/techInfo/p150/f009_0263hc1.gif
• http//star.arm.ac.uk/eclipse99/fig3.gif
• http//web.mit.edu/kayla/Public/Backgrounds/Solar
  20Eclipse.JPG
• http//www.mreclipse.com/Special/SEprimer.html
• http//www.space.com/scienceastronomy/solarsystem/
  solar_eclipse_facts.html1
• http//surinusgaonkarsays.sulekha.com/blogs/blogdi
  splay.aspx?cid52637