There will be a Solar eclipse visible in Southern India on Wednesday, 22.07.2009. It begins in the early morning (before sunrise) at 05:30 am. The eclipsed sun will rise at 06:13 am and eclipse ends at 07:20 am. (Local time, Mangalore)
Though eclipses generally affect all, since it is occuring in Pushya Nakshatra, those who are born in Cancer [Karkataka], Leo [Simha], Sagittarius[Dhanu] or Aquarius[Kumbha] would be affected in particular.
Food can be taken upto 8:30 pm on 21.07.09. On 22nd, food needs to be prepared only after the conclusion of eclipse.
How to observe an eclipse is already written elsewhere in this blog.
Well, the easiest way to appear "progressive", "modern", "scientific" or "rationalist" is to critisize or ridicule the time tested practices. There is a befitting shloka told by Shukraacharya to Vrushaparva in Mahabharatha, Aadi Parva:
नाधर्म: चरितो राजन् सद्य: फलति गौरिव ।
शनै: आवार्त्यमानो हि कर्तु: मूलानि कृन्तति ।
[Oh King, if you knowingly follow Adharama, it will not give quick result like Cows. Instead, the fruits of wrong deeds will surely revisit you slowly but with deadly blow to your roots]
