ASTRONOMY IN INDIA
Astronomy, the study of objects seen in the sky, is an ancient science that dates back to the earliest human civilizations. As humans transitioned from living in caves to settling in open areas, they experienced a profound sense of wonder when observing celestial phenomena such as the phases of the moon, eclipses, and the appearance of various stars. Lacking scientific understanding, early humans often wove these observations into myths and religious beliefs.
India, with its rich and ancient civilization, developed a strong tradition in astronomy. The Vedas and other religious texts speculated on many important questions related to astronomy and cosmology. These discussions often included philosophical ponderings on the origin of the universe.
1.Philosophical Discussions: The Vedas contained speculations on the cosmos, though often couched in philosophical terms.
2.Practical Needs: Practical astronomy emerged to meet daily needs such as determining the timing of rains for agriculture, and setting dates for marriages and festivals.