Part 1
Part 2
Golu Devta Temple, Ghorakhal, Bhowali, Nainital
Golu Devta is considered as incarnation of Lord Shiva. There are many Golu Devta Temples in Kumaun region. One of the famous Golu Devta Temple is at Ghorakhal near Nainital. I visited here in 2013 and again in 2016 while on summer vacation trip to Nainital.
How to reach
The temple is in Ghorakhal and very near to Nainital. It is about 17 Km from Nainital and it takes about 40 minutes by Car. Ghorakhal is also famous for Sainik School, which is located beside the temple. During the day many devotees come and temple becomes bit crowded. I visited the temple in the early morning and found the place very calm and divine.
Bells in the Temple
When I visited the temple in 2013, I was surprised by seeing thousands of bells of different sizes hanging in and around the temple. It was something new for me. I learnt that these are hanged by Devotees over the time.
Petitions by Devotees
There is unique tradition of writing and submitting petitions by devotees. The devotees writes their wish on peace of paper and hang in the temple. It is believed that Golu Devta reads the petitions and accomplish the wishes of devotees.
The devotees come again in the temple once their wishes are accomplished and hang new bells in the temple. Over the time, temple is flooded with bells all across and around the temple.
Super Moon
I am writing this article on 7th April 2020, an important date. The moon today will be super moon.
The size of moon will look bigger and will be brighter. This is because the moon will be nearest to earth and also full moon.
Syzygy
When Earth , moon and Sun are in straight line, full moon occurs. We see it every month. When three celestial bodies come in straight line, it is called syzygy.
Perigee and Apogee
Moon has elliptical orbit. Every point on the orbit has different distance from earth. The earth is also not in centre of the elliptical orbit. The point on orbit which is nearest to earth is called perigee. The point on orbit which is farthest from earth is called apogee.
Perigee Syzygy
When full moon or new moon occures and it is on perigee or near to perigee, the moon looks bigger and brighter. This moon is called Super moon. It is also called Perigee syzygy of earth , moon and sun.
Pink Moon
The Super moon occuring today is also called pink moon. We should not confuse with colour of moon. The pink name comes from pink flower which bloom, during this period of super moon.
Effect of Super Moon
All of us know that tide occurs in the sea due to combined gravitational force of moon and sun. During Super moon, as moon is nearer to earth, the tides are about 2 inch higher than normal tide.
Micro Moon
When full moon occurs and it is at apogee or near to apogee, its size and brightness is lesser. It is called micro moon.
Size , Brightness and Distance
The Super moon is 14% larger and 30% brighter compared to micro moon.
The distance of earth from perigee is 3,63,300 KM and from apogee is 4,05,500 KM.
Best time to see
The best time to see a super moon is at the time of moon rise. It looks bigger and spectacular as it is near to horizon
Although Super moon occurs once or twice every year, the closest was on November 2016.