Taron ka rhasya kay hai: The sky of the night has been a symbol of surprise, mystery and spiritual consciousness since the beginning of human civilization. When we look at the sky, there are some specific constellations in innumerable stars that have been the center of human imagination and faith for centuries due to their shape, glow and importance. One such very famous constellation is Orion’s Belt. This straight line of three stars that appear to be similar to a dagger or bandage in the sky and can be seen from almost every part of the Earth. Orayan Belt has been an important indicator not only for astronomers but it is also deeply contained in the mythology, folklore and religious beliefs of many ancient cultures of the world.
This article will take you on an exciting journey of the astronomical structure, scientific mystery, and ancient stories of various countries associated with the Orayan belt, where science and myths meet each other.
What is Orayan belt?
The Orayan belt is actually a major and attractive part of the Orayan planetarium that is extremely easy to identify in the sky. This belt is made up of three major and shiny wires Alanitak, Alanlam and Mintak, which looks like a strip or waistband in the sky, aligning in a straight line. This planetarium can be easily seen in the night sky due to the strong glow and accurate position of these wires. The Orayan planetarium is named after Orayan, the famous hunter of Greek mythology and its star groups emerge the shape of a strong hunter, in which the waist-patti, sword, head, and hands are also composed through stars. This astronomical structure is extremely interesting not only for scientists but also for those interested in art, culture and myth.
Organ belt from astronomy point of view
Famous of Orayan Belt – Orayan belt is counted among the most identified and studied stellar groups of the galaxy. It has been a major study field for astronomers and is also quite popular among common people due to its specific linear structure and sharp brightness.
Status – The Orayan planetarium is located near the equatorial region of the sky, ie it is close to the celestial equator. For this reason, it can be easily seen easily from both the hemispheres of the Earth, northern and southern, which makes it even more important globally.
Visibility – Orayan belt in most parts of the world including India is clearly visible in clear nights between October and February. It is considered to be the brightest and major constellation of winter, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, which people can even identify without binoculars.
Nature of wires – Three main stars in the Orayan belt are all huge and extremely bright stars. The mined is about 800 light year away and is a blue supergiant star. Alanlam is another blue supergiant located about 1340 light years away, while Mintak is located about 1200 light years away and is also a huge blue star. Both of their distance and mass put them in the category of powerful stars of the universe.
Orayan Nebula – Orayan Nebula (Messier 42), located near the Orayan belt, is also a highly famous nebula which is also known as the ‘birthplace of stars’. It is located about 1344 light years away from the Earth and is an area where new stars are formed. This nebula can also be seen with naked eyes, so that it is also popular among amateur astronomers.
Direction Determination – Opeyan belt has been used for direction since ancient times. The three wires located in its straight line used to act as a navigational guide for passengers and sailors. This astronomical knowledge is a proof of scientific understanding and celestial understanding of our ancestors.
Myths and beliefs around the world associated with Orayan belt
The Greek mythology and Orayan’s rise in the sky – Orayan is described as a powerful and great hunter in Greek myths. There are many stories about his death. According to the most famous story, Gaia, the goddess of the earth, sent a toxic scorpion (Scorpion), who killed Orayan. Impressed by the valor and fame of Orayan, the king of the gods, Zeus, established him as a planetarium in the sky. Interestingly, the Scorpse constellation also got a place in the sky, but it is believed that these two never appear together in the sky as if the old enmity is still maintained today.
The secret of Egyptian civilization and pyramids – Orayan belt had extremely religious and astronomical significance for ancient Egyptians. He believed that this planetarium is a symbol of Osiris, the god of death and rebirth. According to a popular hypothesis, the three giant pyramids of Giza are formed in line with the three stars of the Orion belt. Although this has not been fully proved, this theory is widely recognized between historians and astronomers and reflects the depth of Egypt’s astronomical understanding.
Relation of Hindu belief and Saptarishis – There is no clear mention of Orayan belt in Indian astrology and Puranas. But Saptarishi and other constellations are described in detail. Some modern scholars try to connect the figure of Orayan planetarium to Trishul or Shiva’s bow.
In the Mesoomerican civilization, the stove of the universe – Maya and Aztec civilizations, Orayan belts were considered a sacred symbol. The Maya people used to call it ‘Three Hearthestones’ and it was included as an important symbol in the stories of their universe composition. The place of Orayan belt was very special in his astronomy and religious beliefs.
African and Australian tribal myths – The Dogon tribe of Africa connects the wires of the Orayan belt to its deity Nommo, which they consider to be a divine beings who give knowledge on earth. At the same time, according to Australia’s tribal Aborjan tribes, the Orayan belt is a group of three hunters men who are hunting the huge animal of the Torus constellation. These myths indicate that different civilizations looked and interpreted the Orayan belt from their own cultural perspective.
Orayan belt and modern astronomy
The Orayan belt and the entire planetarium associated with it remain a major field of research for astronomers even today. Especially the manufacture of newly formed wires, dense layers of gas and dust, and the origin of the universe are the center of extreme attraction for scientists. The region is known as ‘Staller Nursery’, where new stars are born. Modern technology especially with the help of powerful equipment such as James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), scientists are able to study this field very subtle and detailed, which is bringing new information about the origin and development of the universe.
Orayan belt place in public
Orayan belt in India is not just an astronomical structure but also an integral part of the cultural and folk tradition. In rural areas, when the elderly call them ‘hunters’ or ‘three stars’, pointing to three shining stars in the night sky, they are actually advancing the oral knowledge tradition that has been going on for generations. This knowledge is an innate, cultural form of scientific facts that create curiosity in children and connect with nature.
The straight line of the Orayan belt is in the east-west direction and for this reason it has been used in navigation since ancient times. Especially in rural and marine areas, people used to guess their route at night with its help.
Not only this, the seasonal presence of Orayan planetarium has also been related to agricultural life. Many rural communities consider its presence a sign of the winter season or the arrival of the rabi crop, leading to sowing and harvesting time.
This multidimensional use of Orayan belt is part of Indian folk-science which has kept scientific knowledge alive through oral traditions and experiences of public.
