MUMBAI (AFP) – Indian astrologers are predicting violence and turmoil across the world as a result of this week's total solar eclipse, which the superstitious and religious view as a sign of potential doom.

But astronomers, scientists and secularists are trying to play down claims of evil portent in connection with Wednesday's natural spectacle, when the moon will come between the Earth and the sun, completely obscuring the sun.

In Hindu mythology, the two demons Rahu and Ketu are said to "swallow" the sun during eclipses, snuffing out its life-giving light and causing food to become inedible and water undrinkable.

Pregnant women are advised to stay indoors to prevent their babies developing birth defects, while prayers, fasting and ritual bathing, particularly in holy rivers, are encouraged.

Shivani Sachdev Gour, a gynaecologist at the Fortis Hospital in New Delhi, said a number of expectant mothers scheduled for caesarian deliveries on July 22 had asked to change the date.

"This is a belief deeply rooted in Indian society. Couples are willing to do anything to ensure that the baby is not born on that day," Gour said.

Astrologers have predicted a rise in communal and regional violence in the days following the eclipse, particularly in India, China and other Southeast Asian nations where it can be seen on Wednesday morning.

Mumbai astrologer Raj Kumar Sharma predicted "some sort of attack by (Kashmiri separatists) Jaish-e-Mohammad or Al-Qaeda on Indian soil" and a devastating natural disaster in Southeast Asia.

An Indian political leader could be killed, he said, and tension between the West and Iran is likely to increase, escalating into possible US military action after September 9, when fiery Saturn moves from Leo into Virgo.

"The last 200 years, whenever Saturn has gone into Virgo there has been either a world war or a mini world war," he told AFP.

It is not just in India that some are uneasy about what will transpire because of the eclipse.

In ancient China they were often associated with disasters, the death of an emperor or other dark events, and similar superstitions persist.

"The probability for unrest or war to take place in years when a solar eclipse happens is 95 percent," announced an article that attracted a lot of hits on the popular Chinese web portal Baidu.com.

Sanal Edamaruku, president of the Indian Rationalist Association, dismissed such doomsday predictions.

"Primarily, what we see with all these soothsayers and astrologers is that they're looking for opportunities to enhance their business with predictions of danger and calamity," he told AFP.

"They have been very powerful in India but over the last decade they have been in systematic decline."

Astronomers and scientists are also working to educate the public about the eclipse.

Travel firm Cox and Kings has chartered a Boeing 737-700 aircraft to give people the chance to see the eclipse from 41,000 feet (12,500 metres).

Experts will be on board to explain it to passengers, some of whom have paid 79,000 rupees (1,600 dollars) for a "sun-side" seat on the three-hour flight from New Delhi.

The eclipse's shadow is expected to pass over the aircraft at 15 times the speed of sound (Mach 15), said Ajay Talwar, president of the SPACE Group of companies that promotes science and astronomy.

"It's coming in the middle of the monsoon season. On the ground, there's a 40 percent chance of seeing it in India. On the aircraft you have almost a 90 percent chance of seeing the eclipse," he added.

Siva Prasad Tata, who runs the Astro Jyoti website, straddles the two worlds.

"There's no need to get too alarmed about the eclipse, they are a natural phenomenon," the astrologer told AFP.

But he added: "During the period of the eclipse, the opposite attracting forces are very, very powerful. From a spiritual point of view, this is a wonderful time to do any type of worship.

"It will bring about good results, much more than on an ordinary day."

What do we think about eclipses or the superstitions associated with them?

haha the superstitions .. that there saying if your preggo dont go outside.. and that theres going to be disasters and terrorist attacks following the eclipse

Ignorance breeds fear.

Don't think my boss would let me use this as an excuse.

People have their superstitions but if you followed them all you'd drive yourself nuts. Live your life, the sky won't fall anytime soon.

Personally I think it is scaremongering and a crock of shyte!

well said lol

I imagine its historic ritual stuff but to be perfectly honest (despite thinking all of the above is BS) I am quite open to mystical things and astrology. I realise many people will think I'm nuts and its all made up rubbish but if I'm honest I don't know. If we all came form the same source (the big bang) and if all atoms which are from the same source react connectedly (as they so far in scientific experiments do up to 40something km) and if the moon controls the waves then maybe something can be said of things which make little sense.

My friend is a big astrologer and he did my birth chart and its creepliy accurate (luck in marriage, difficulties in career, good with communication etc.) and its not like he made it up because he knows me, he showed me what each part of the chart meant and where things were etc.

but then I did my mums chart and that made no sense but then she doesn't know her EXACT birth time so I just don't know to be honest.

Plus a friend of my SIL traveled to India to a Buddhist sanctuary (I didn't know buddhists did astrology) and they did his chart and told him freakish detail like how many siblings he had, when she (his sister got divorced) what his relationships were like with each family member etc.

Maybe its a huge con but i don't know.

I do however agree with MUMOF5 in that the above article is a crock of shyte. otherwise india would be a far more balnced, healthy and poverty free place as all the people are so into astrology there and especially the poor folk. Don't get me wrong, I think its one of the most amazing places on earth and I can't wait to go there!!!! but yeah... crock of shyte.

I didn't know there was going to be an eclipse! Whoo hoo, I hope I can see it!

Oh, and that other stuff is BS.