`No superstitions please': Solar eclipse to occur on June 10, experts debunk unscientific theories

The last `Annual Solar Eclipse', which was visible in India, occurred on June 21, 2020. The partial solar eclipse will occur on Oct 25, 2022. It will be visible in India. As per Indian Standard Time, the eclipse shall begin at 1.42 p.m. and end at 6.41 p.m. The maximum phase of the eclipse will be at 4.12 p.m.

Earlier on May 26, 2021, there was a total lunar eclipse, On November 19, there will be a partial lunar eclipse and on December 4, 2021, there will be a total solar eclipse.

There are different superstitions associated with eclipses

During Eclipse events various rituals have been followed in India traditionally. Particularly when an eclipse is visible, pregnant women are restricted from certain chores and rituals. However, though eclipse June 10 will not visible in India, social media is abuzz with the restrictions to be followed by expecting mothers.

Fear of harm to an unborn child leading to Cleft Palate and other kinds of deformities are being promoted unscientifically.

"Cleft palate is known as भंग तालुin Hindi గ్రహణం మొరర్ ి in Telugu is an opening or split in the roof of the mouth that occurs when the tissue doesn't fuse together during development in the womb," said N Raghunandhan Kumar- Secretary planetary society of India.

He further added, a cleft palate often includes a split (cleft) in the upper lip (cleft lip) but can occur without affecting the lip. It's interesting to note World Health Organization (WHO) never in the past declared Eclipse as a Pandemic or Disease-causing event or never issued any health notification for women in India or across the world to follow during the eclipse. Similarly, the health department never said eclipse can endanger an unborn child.

Planetary Society of India said cleft pallet is a health disorder and solar or lunar eclipses do not cause this defect. In fact, not taking food or medicine on time, restricting a woman from attending natural calls, and subjecting her to stay put in the same pose/position throughout the duration of the eclipse may lead to complications. During the eclipse, pregnant women should conduct their activities like any other day and not believe in unscientific theories.

On May 26, the lunar eclipse occurred in India. What is interesting is though the lunar eclipse was visible in various parts of the country no traditions like the closure of temples were followed.

Nor Astrologers/Pandits prescribed any rituals to follow by the general public. Lunar Eclipse was visible ranging from 2 minutes in Puri to 45 Minutes in Port Blair. Hence, asking pregnant women to follow unscientific practices during the eclipse is completely wrong