Whenever the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth are aligned -and Earth comes in between the Sun, and the Moon, blocking Sun’s light falling on the Moon –a Lunar Eclipse is said to have taken place.
Lunar Eclipse happens only on a full moon night, also known as Purnima in Hindi. We have a Lunar Eclipse on 27th July, 2018 too, which is the day Guru Purnima falls on. This Eclipse could be seen from anywhere in India, and the special thing about it is that this kind of Lunar Eclipse would be seen after 104 years.
Following things should be kept in mind during a Lunar Eclipse:
• If you worship on Guru Purnima, this should be done before
“Sutak”.
• For the Eclipse of 27th July, the Sutak will start by 2:54 pm. The eclipse itself is from 11:54 pm to 3:49 am.
• Pregnant women should not go out of the house during a Lunar Eclipse. Reading Hanuman Chalisa at the time is recommended.
• Before Sutak, add Tulsi (Basil) in your food.
• It’s better if you don’t eat or drink during a Lunar Eclipse. Old people and pregnant women however, can eat and drink.
Pregnant women should take special care during Lunar Eclipse as it affects them the most.
They can enchant the Sanskrit mantra: "ओउम् क्षीरपुत्राय विह्महे अमृत तत्वाय धीमहि तन्नो चंद्र प्रचोदयात् "
Om Kshirputraaye Vinhahe Amrit Tatvaaye Dhimahi Tanno Chandra Prachodayaat
(Translated from Hindi by Meetali)