This tutorial presentation explores visual and computational tools to illustrate the pioneering research of Prof. R. N. Iyengar in Ancient Indian Astronomy and Cosmography. Delivered by Sunder, the material demonstrates ongoing work at the Centre for Ancient History and Culture (CAHC), Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, Bengaluru.

The tutorial is split across two main sessions:

  • Session 1 emphasizes visual and observational foundations using Stellarium. It covers Meru cosmography, the drift of the North Celestial Pole (Dhruva), the Sun’s daily/annual motions, and traces the precession of the equinoxes through the Nakṣatra system.
  • Session 2 extends this astronomical foundation to the Moon. It analyzes the “equinoctial full moon problem” using computational scans (Astropy), examines the Maghādi and Śraviṣṭhādi zodiacal schemes, and introduces tools for eclipse verification (like NASA/JLEX and Parāśara Tantra sequences).

Presentation Materials

📺 View Session 1 Online Presentation - Interactive HTML version
📄 Download Session 1 PDF - Printable version

📺 View Session 2 Online Presentation - Interactive HTML version
📄 Download Session 2 PDF - Printable version

Source Materials

The source slides, Stellarium scripts, notes, and operational helpers for this tutorial are available on GitHub:

Stellarium Demonstration Videos

The tutorial heavily relies on custom Stellarium scripts to demonstrate ancient astronomical principles. The recorded visualizations are available below:

Session 1 Visualizations

Session 2 Visualizations