Stargazing In India: Connect To Your Mind And The Singular Conscious Universe
Only a traveler knows how the simplest outdoor pursuits can offer the highest spiritual experience. I was thinking the same sitting in Taregna, Bihar, one of the best places for stargazing in India.
As I observed the celestial activities and the magnificence of the universe became palpable, the words of quantum physicist Erwin Schrödinger came to my mind. He said that the universe has a singular mind. In his book Mind and Matter, he supported his idea with,
“the empirical fact that consciousness is never experienced in the plural, only in the singular. Not only has none of us ever experienced more than one consciousness, but there is also no trace of circumstantial evidence of this ever happening anywhere in the world.” (Source)
He echoed the same philosophy of the Hindu school of Advaita Vedanta. In Advaita Vedanta by Adi Shankaracharya, the essence is “Aham Brahmasmi.” It roughly translates to “I am the Universe.”
I never doubted how science and spirituality go hand in hand. However, the spiritual encounter I had during the act was something else!
Coming back home, I discussed the experience with many people and did my research. Here, I pen my sincerest understanding of the relationship between stargazing and spirituality. I will also talk about the psychological benefits of stargazing.
Stargazing In India And Connecting To The Conscious Universe
Stargazing in India, especially watching the celestial activities at night, allows deep contemplation. There are designated stargazing stations in India (I will share a brief overview later). However, simply looking at the night sky with stars can be a fulfilling experience.
My friend Harsha Sharma shared a similar experience as I discussed what I felt at Taregna with her. She said,
“Stargazing has been a form of meditation for me. Ever since I saw a sky full of stars in Uttarakhand, I have not known a different way of relaxing. There is something poetic in looking at the vastness of the universe in front of our eyes, while worrying about trivial things come morning.”
Can I decode this connection? I can present what I feel and many experiences while gazing at the stars. This is something very abstract but the ultimate.
Stargazing Is About Wonder, Finding Faith, And Being Humble
The first thing that hits you during stargazing is a sense of awe or wonder. As you sink in and the act kind of becomes immersive or meditative, you find the faith you have lost. It’s like rekindling your soul and what you have been holding as the truest for the longest time.
Further, stargazing is about developing humility. You will know that you are a manifested form of the entire universe, but even the brightest stars transform into white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes. Moreover, every one of us is a form guided by universal truth and law.
It’s About Singular Consciousness And Possibilities
In Mind and Matter, Erwin Schrödinger wrote that all of us are “aspects of one single mind that forms the essence of reality.” Stargazing, a profound contemplative act, makes you understand the essence of these words.
The same consciousness that makes the universe what it is, or the universal consciousness, is present in us.
Stargazing is also about believing in possibilities. Recently, the Ladakh sky shone with the Aurora or Northern lights. It is a more tangible example of how the universe is about endless possibilities, and the art of becoming with the highest form of creativity. The Northern lights of Greenland came to Ladakh swept by storm.
Stargazing In India, Science And Mental Health
Stargazing in India also has a therapeutic effect. As you observe the stars at a known stargazing center or just stare at the night sky, you will feel a sudden upliftment in your spirit. It’s like lifting your eyes to lift your spirit.
Stargazing Can Make You Feel Relaxed
Activities like stargazing give you the chance to spend some time in nature. Spending some time in nature helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Further, stargazing is not a complex act, and it’s less dynamic as you do not need to catch up with a lot of movements. So, it can relax your mind.
Stargazing Can Stimulate You
Further, if you have been feeling low lately, stargazing can be a stimulating act for you. As you watch a meteor shower, you become very much present in the moment.
Stargazing Creates A Sense Of Awe
You feel a sense of awe as you look at the stars. The Astronomy of Mental Health says that the sense of awe is an instant mood booster as it increases the secretion of oxytocin. Further, it reduces inflammation and heart rate.
What Are The Best Places For Stargazing In India?
Stargazing in India is one of the most immersive experiences a traveler can expect. It’s kind of transcendental. Further, as a vast and vivid country, India has various brilliant stargazing destinations.
Here, I have curated the best of the best!
Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO), Tamil Nadu
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics operates the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, which is in a picturesque location. Experts guide you in observing the celestial activities in this solar observatory center in Palani Hills’ southern tip.
Further, the Astronomy Museum at this observatory center is open even on government holidays.
Having played a crucial role in many scientific discoveries, this solar observatory completed its 125th year on 1st 2024. It was established on April 1, 1899. Further, it has the oldest and most continuous series of solar data in India.
The Department of Science and Technology in India issued a statement on KSO’s 125th anniversary. It stated,
“The 125th anniversary of the iconic Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO) housing historic and modern telescopes as well as a digital repository containing more than 1.2 lakh digitised solar images and thousands of other images of the Sun recorded every day since the start of the 20th century, was celebrated on 1 April 2024.” (Source)
Taregna, Bihar
I felt incredibly proud as I had the experience of stargazing in Taregna. In 2009, NASA called it the “best place to see solar eclipse.”
This place also has historical significance, as Aryabhata, the great astronomer of India and the father of “0,” spent much of his time in Taregna. The Sun Temple here also has an astronomical observatory built by Aryabhata.
Taregna derives its name from the Hindi phrase Tare Ginna, meaning counting stars.
Neil Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Neil Island is a gem of Andaman and Nicobar thanks to its amazing marine life and the view of the celestial activities at night. It is also the best place to see the Milky Way in India.
Further, as the stars dance on the stretches of the water surrounding the island, you are transported to a different world.
Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
This winter, you can visit the Rann of Kutch for India’s most delightful stargazing experience . The salty marshland gets bathed with the Moonlight, and with the stars twinkling, you live a moment that is made of your childhood lullabies and passion for the celestial world.
The Rann Utsav festival here has a dedicated stargazing session for its visitors. It comes with the promise of a great time and an act of community building.
Katao, Sikkim
Mount Katao is a little secluded, again great as stargazers here can avoid noise, pollution, and crowds. Look at the sky at night in Katao and experience the beauty of silence at a height of 15000 feet.
Did you know that many call Katao the “Switzerland of India?”
Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
The “Highest inhabited region in the world,” Spiti Valley is a cold desert and a stargazer’s paradise. You can visit this place from September to February for the best view of the night sky.
Also, have you got a bike? Hit the woods and camp there for the most surreal experience.
Indian Astronomical Observatory, Ladakh
You will need an Inner Line Permit to visit the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Ladakh. It is the “second highest optical telescope in the world,” after Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC).
However, only the citizens of India can visit this center with an Inner Line Permit.
Final Words
Stargazing in India is an immersive experience with various spiritual and psychological aspects. The best thing is that you don’t need to follow a set of rules, or there are no set norms for you.
You can start small by gazing at the Moon for ten minutes a day and then one day end up at the most celebrated stargazing stations.
Away from all the stressors, it’s just about your eyes, your thoughts, and the stars!
Do you also enjoy stargazing, and what’s your most memorable moment watching celestial activities? Don’t forget to share your experience with us!
Stargazing In India FAQs
Yes, you can see the Milky Way in India. The best place to see the Milky Way in India is Neil Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is a quiet place for stargazing in India and the beauty of the night sky here is ethereal.
Another great destination for watching the Milky Way in India is Nubra Valley in Ladakh. Nubra Valley is also known for its unmatched scenic beauty.
Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharastra is the first stargazing site in India. It is the first “Dark Sky Park” in the country and the fifth in Asia.
In India, winter, spring, and autumn are the best seasons for stargazing. The sky remains mostly clear during these seasons.
So, for the optimal stargazing experience, you must schedule stargazing between March to mid-May. Again, stargazing is more delightful from late September as the fall season sets in, and the autumn-winter season for stargazing continues till mid-February.
Then comes spring, another great season for stargazing. So, barring the months of June, July, August, and a major part of September, you can enjoy watching stars in India.
Stargazing is safe for your eyes. It does not matter whether you are watching the stars with your naked eyes or you see them through a telescope. In fact, watching stars can improve your eyesight and boost your ability to follow details.
You can enjoy the optimal experience of seeing the Milky Way on the north coast of Chile or in the Atacama Desert. This country, in fact, is one of the best stargazing places in the entire world.
A low pollution ensures a clear vision of the sky. Further, the weather conditions there are perfect for stargazing.
Tasman Glacier in New Zealand is another great place for watching the Milky Way.
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