Convergence of Bhutanese Astrologer and Scientists on Solar Eclipse on 22nd July 2009

It is the one of the best examples where religion governing the astrology and the Global Scientists are right come to the same evidence and conclusion: The Solar Eclipse. Although both are totally have different concept and ideas on the issue. The Bhutanese Astrologers have already mentioned that there will be Solar Eclipse on 30th Day of fifth Month of the Bhutanese Calendar when it was published in its New Year astrology calendar in February 2009 issue. What a co-incidence when the scientist around the globe working on Metrology too said that there will be a solar eclipse on 22nd July 2009, the two views had the same date. It was even more amazing and astonishment that these two views had almost the same hour. That is both the predictions said that it will happen between 6AM to 8AM in the morning. It is even good to see that the rural people believing that solar eclipse happens only on the 30th Day of the month which is what the calendar has revealed. These is what rural population who are illiterate yet innocent and humble farmers will see the solar eclipse on Wednesday, 30th of the fifth Bhutanese Month. On the other hand, the urban, literate and more modern population will see the same event on Wednesday, 22nd July 2009. The day is same and the time is same. What differs is the significance and causes of the eclipse rural driven by cultural baggage and urban by the education through the schools. Rural people consider this day as the day to perform rituals, because it falls on an auspicious day commonly called Dhuezang (དུས་བཟང་). They believe that the Sun is eaten by some demon called Zaa, so it is important that during that we make offering and pray to god to release the Sun from the mouth of this Demon. They will observe the day in a more elaborate manner by shouting, beating containers, prayers and offerings in their alters so that the sun will come after a while. According to the Bhutanese astrologer in a interview with the Bhutan Broadcasting Service Live Telecast said that solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, the Moon, the Earth and a demon called Zadrachen come together. Astrologer from Parimzampa Yangku said the brightness of the sun is covered by Zaa Drachen and as a result solar eclipse happens. He argued the scientific reason by saying that if the moon blocks the sun and we have get the brightness of moon. He questioned why we don’t get the brightness of the sun. Urban people know the scientific reason behind this through their modern education. They believe that it happens because; this is one of the times where the moon comes between the Earth and the Sun. As a result, the shadow of the moon falls on the Earth and that is called the “Solar Eclipse”. Therefore, the urban people will celebrate the event by taking photographs. They want to keep the photos so that they will say that during their live time, they have seen solar eclipse which is supposed to happen only after centuries. In short, the most amazing part it the convergence of scientific knowledge and the traditional knowledge of astrology on the subject, when it occurs, getting exactly the same date and the time.