TECHNOLOGY NEWS :- The lunar eclipse that coincided with the New Year blast failed to dampen the spirit of revellers in the city. In sync with the festive
tune, people thronged hotels, lounges and restaurants to party and welcome the New Year.
“There was no effect of lunar eclipse on the New Year celebrations. We were almost full by 9pm with a large crowd waiting outside for its turn,” said Anand Verma, manager of a restaurant in Hazratganj. “For once it appeared that many people weren’t aware of the lunar eclipse. And of those who knew, few cared for it,” he added.
For aspiring designer Priya Jha, the lunar eclipse was of no importance. When informed about the eclipse falling on this date after a century, she said: “what difference does that make?”
But astrologers took the eclipse seriously. “Eclipses do influence people’s lives just the way stars do. Those who came in direct contact of the eclipse between 12.22am and 1.24am should have been careful. But since most of the New Year parties were planned indoors due to the cold weather, there was not much reason to worry,” said Vinay Kumar Dubey, a city based astrologer.
Temples in the city, however, closed early in wake of the eclipse. Mythology says that a lunar eclipse generates negative energy. “It is inauspicious to invoke the deities during an eclipse. The idols are covered by organic materials like grass, neem leaves, vila trees or raw silk shroud to prevent the natural aura from being destroyed,” said a priest at the Hanuman temple on the University Road.
Astronomers and star-gazers, however, celebrated the New Year looking at the sky. In-charge, Indira Gandhi Planetarium, Anil Yadav informed that a lunar eclipse occurs whenever the moon passes through some portion of the earth’s shadow. This can occur only when the sun, earth and moon are aligned exactly or very closely aligned with earth in the middle.
“It is a pleasure to watch this celestial phenomenon,” he said, adding that it was unfortunate that many people did not watch it due to superstition. But, the astro-lovers spent the New Year with stars and the moon. “I completely enjoyed it. I have seen a lunar eclipse before but this one was special as it coincided with the New Year. Also, it was a blue moon (second full moon in a calender month) that braved the eclipse,” said Anupam Kumar, an amateur astronomer.