A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE

A total solar eclipse occurs when Sun, Moon and Earth are in line with each other and the Moon moves in front of the Sun so that its shadow touches the surface of the Earth. When Sun and Moon are not exactly in line and the Moon only partially obscures the Sun, then the eclipse is partial.

In the case that the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon, then we speak of a total eclipse. At this point the sky is sufficiently dark that planets and brighter stars are visible.

The duration of totality can be as short as a few seconds, or as long as about eight minutes. During totality the solar corona (extended outer atmosphere of the Sun) blazes into view. The corona is a million times fainter than the surface of the Sun, that’s why only when the eclipse is total it can be seen. Because of the relative sizes of the Moon and Sun and their relative distances from Earth, the path of totality is usually very narrow (up to 273 kilometres across).

A partial solar eclipse is interesting; a total solar eclipse is awe-inspiring in the literal meaning of the phrase. If you have an opportunity to observe a total solar eclipse, don’t miss it! It is an experience that you will never forget.

The figure on the left illustrates the path of totality produced by the umbra of the Moon’s shadow.

Partial eclipses of the Sun become less important in comparison to the overwhelmng spectacle of a total eclipse. On Wednesday, 22nd July 2009, a total eclipse of the Sun will be visible from a narrow corridor through India.

The eclipse will start off on the west coast of India and travel northeastern across the subcontinent passing over Varanasi and Darjeeling lasting about four minutes, then onward through Bhutan and Bangladesh till it reaches China.

On this journey of discovery you will have the opportunity to combine a unique celestial event with the exploration of one of the most fascinating region of the world: incredible INDIA. Here lands of ancient cities and beautiful scenery are populated by diverse and rich spiritual cultures.

Experience this natural wonder yourself and witness the first long total solar eclipse that will occur in the twenty-first century !

Our expert team has chosen best locations outside Varanasi town: on the open banks of the River Ganges to allow maximum and uninterrupted astronomical views.

Our guides and escorts have great knowledge and enthusiasm for astronomy, photography and cultural holiday projects.

Both, first-time India travellers and those returning will find this total eclipse tour an exciting and adventurous journey that will become your personal once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Day 1: Arrive Delhi:
Namasté! Welcome to India and the start of your holiday. After having arrived in Delhi, we will welcome you in a traditional way and bring you to your hotel. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 2: New Delhi:
After breakfast in Delhi, our Welcome Meeting will take place. Afterwards we will visit Jantar Mantar, one of several astronomical observatories raised by Maharaja Jai Singh II and constructed in 1724. The primary purpose of the observatory was to compile astronomical tables, and to predict the times and movements of the sun, moon and planets. The instruments at Jantar Mantar are fascinating for its ingenuity and architectural splendour.

Furthermore we will explore more interesting sights in Delhi, such as the impressive Red Fort, Jama Masjid – India’s oldest and largest mosque-, Raj Ghat – the site of Gandhi’s cremation – and more. In the evening, we will enjoy a dinner at a restaurant specializing in classical Indian cuisine. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 3: Delhi – Agra:
After breakfast we will leave Delhi and travel about four hours to Agra, once India’s Mughal capital. After Hotel check-in we will enjoy the afternoon visiting the impressive Agra Fort that boasts some of India’s finest Mughal buildings behind its fortified walls. Overnight stay in Agra.

Day 4: Agra – Jaipur:
After breakfast, we will enjoy a horse cart or rickshaw ride to the legendary Taj Mahal that was built entirely of white marble under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is considered to be most extravagant monument ever built for love and remains India’s most enduring symbol. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Taj Mahal is also one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Afterwards we will travel to Jaipur (approx. four hours). En-route we will have a stopover in Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory). Built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only 10 years. Left over is a “ghost city” with a complex of monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style.

Day 5: Jaipur:
Jaipur is the first planned city of India and also known by the name “Pink City” because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled city. In Jaipur we will visit the observatory Jantar Mantar, the largest stone observatory in the world that makes it a special destination for travellers and those having interest in astronomy. Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is one of the five astronomical observatories (Jaipur, Delhi, Varanasi, Ujjain and Mathura) built by Maharaja Jai Singh and it has a remarkable collection of architectural astronomical instruments for measuring time, predicting eclipses and to ascertain other astronomical events. Above all, this observatory still provides accurate information, which can be compared with today’s modern instruments undeniably.

The major and most famous landmark of Jaipur is the Hawa Nahal (“Palace of Winds”). The side facing the street outside the palace complex has 953 small windows, and the breeze (hawa) that circulates through these windows gives the palace its name, and keeps it cool even in hot months. It is believed to be build to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen. After that we will visit the grand City Palace. A trip to Jaipur would be definitely incomplete, without visiting the imperial Fort of Amber. The best part of this tourist attraction situated on a crafty hill is the royal elephant ride up to the mighty gates of the Amber Palace. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Day 6: Jaipur – Delhi:
The morning is at your own disposal. You could visit a typical bazaar or explore further sights in Jaipur. In the afternoon, we will return to Delhi by road which takes about four hours. We will check in to our hotel, which will be close to the International Airport. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 7: Delhi – Varanasi:
Devigarh, away from the stress of the city, is a perfect place to optimise the benefits from the combined Today, we will fly to Varanasi which is a holy city for Hindus, being one of the most sacred pilgrimage places, and is also known as Benares. The culture of Varanasi is closely associated with the River Ganges and the river’s spiritual importance. After having arrived in our hotel, we will enjoy the colourful city of Varanasi. On a boat tour at sunset we can see the Ghats, which refers to the steps leading to the River Ganges. The Ganges Ghats are full of pilgrims who come to the place to take a bath in this holy river, which is believed to absolve one from all sins. In the evening we will enjoy a Sitar concert and we will have dinner together.

DAY 8 Varanasi
Varanasi is the most important of the seven sacred cities of and one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Furthermore Varanasi is also considered to be “the city of learning” and the “culture capital of India”.
After breakfast, we will have a trip to the nearby town Sarnath; one of the most famous Buddhist centres of India and it was here that Lord Buddha preached his first discourse in the deer park to set in motion the “Wheel of the Dharma”. It is one of the most holy sites as in this place the stream of the Buddha’s teaching first flowed.

Back to Varanasi, we will visit the famous Banaras Hindu University that promotes the study of the Hindu Shastras and of Sanskrit literature as means of preserving and popularizing the best thought and culture of the Hindus. Several of its colleges, including Engineering, Science and Medicine, are ranked amongst the best in India. Culturally it retains India’s ancient traditions. Overnight stay in Varanasi.

DAY 9 Total Solar Eclipse in Varanasi
Today is the day of the TOTAL SOLAR ECLSIPSE 2009!
Rising early, we travel in a southeast direction to a secluded spot of the Ganges. Here, beyond the city limits the Ganges riverbed is flat and wide with little vegetation allowing uninterrupted viewing of the sky. The absence of artificial light is also beneficial. Here we wait in awe for the natural wonder to come.

At approximately 05:25am the first phase of the Total Solar Eclipse will begin. The sky will turn to a shade of deep red, then dark purple, cobalt grey and eventually complete darkness will prevail.

After the event we will travel back to the city and our hotel for breakfast. The remaining day is at your own disposal. You can spend your time relaxing at the pool or further sightseeing to ancient temple and shopping. We will return to Delhi in the early evening by air. Late night transfer to the International Airport.

DAY 10 Return flight
Return to your home country with the rewarding memories of your solar eclipse holiday!

A MYTH …
When the gods and the demons churned the milky ocean in days of yore, nectar came out of it. Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Mohini, a charming lady, deluded the demons and distributed the nectar only among the gods. But Rahu had disguised himself as a god. The sun and the moon pointed this out to Mohini who immediately slashed off the demon’s head. Since the nectar had by then already reached up to the neck, he did not die.

Thus the head came to be known as Rahu and the body as Ketu. To avenge this betrayal, Rahu and Ketu periodically eclipse the sun and the moon.

At the time of the eclipse, people bathe in the sacred rivers. They do charitable acts. They give cows, money and gold. The day after the eclipse they feed the poor, the Brahmins and the Sadhus. After the eclipse they clean their houses, vessels, etc., and take a bath before they start cooking.

One should not take food during the eclipse. When the eclipse begins the food should by then have been digested. One should take food only after seeing the sun or the moon free from the eclipse. When the clear sun or the moon is not seen before sunset or sunrise, in the case of the solar and lunar eclipse respectively, food can be taken only after the sun or the moon is seen the next day. Pregnant women should not see the sun or the moon during the time of the eclipse. If they do the child born may have some kind of defect.

OBSERVING SOLAR ECLIPSES
Attention! Permanent eye damage can result from looking at the disk of the Sun directly, or through a camera viewfinder, or with binoculars or a telescope. Sunglasses are not safe, since they do not block the harmful and invisible infrared radiation which causes retinal damage. Viewing the Sun during eclipses requires special eye protection, or indirect viewing methods.

The Sun’s disk can be viewed using appropriate filtration to block the harmful part of the Sun’s radiation. A technique for viewing the Sun safely is by looking at it directly through a specially designed solar filter. Such filters permit only a miniscule fraction of the Sun’s light to pass through them. Only properly designed and certified solar filters should ever be used for direct viewing of the Sun’s disk.

A special journey to celebrate the year 2009
– the International Year of Astronomy –
with UNESCO as the lead agency !