Enjoy an exciting once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to combine observing
a spectacular total solar eclipse with a tour of INDIA’S Unique
Culture & Heritage.
2009 – INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY
'The United Nations General Assembly designated 2009 as the International
Year of Astronomy. The UNESCO is the lead agency having the support
of the International Astronomical Union. The year coincides with
the 400th anniversary of the first recorded astronomical observations
with a telescope by Galileo Galilei. In 1609, Galileo Galilei first
turned one of his telescopes to the night sky and made astounding
discoveries that changed mankind’s conception of the world
forever.
The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is intended to be
a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to
society and culture, stimulating worldwide interest not only
in astronomy, but in science in general.
“THE UNIVERSE, YOURS TO DISCOVER” is the theme of this
year. Be part of this fascinating natural wonder and experience
unforgettable moments with DISCOVERY JOURNEYS INDIA!
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 !
