“Remembering Bharatiya Astronomers: Their Contributions to Astronomy”, TheNarrative, 18 Aug 2026.

“On 23 August 2023, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a historic milestone by successfully landing the Chandrayaan-3 lander and rover on the surface of the Moon. With this remarkable achievement, India became the fourth country to land on the Moon and the first to land near the lunar south polar region. To honour this landmark success, India now celebrates 23 August as National Space Day each year. The theme of the 2025 celebration is: “Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: Ancient Wisdom to Infinite Possibilities”.

India has always had a rich heritage of astronomical wisdom. From ancient times, our scholars were deeply curious about the mysteries of the universe. Many Vedic scriptures contain references to astronomy, cosmology, and the order of the cosmos.

These texts show how the ancient Indian thinkers not only reflected philosophically on the universe but also engaged in practical calculations and observations, for example the Rigveda contains hymns that describe the origin of the universe and the movement of celestial bodies. Building upon these foundations, great astronomers such as Aryabhata, Brahmagupta, and Varahamihira, Vatesvara and Bhaskara developed sophisticated mathematical and astronomical models.

At a time when much of the world was still struggling with basic survival, India’s ancient astronomers were exploring the mystical phenomena of space, great scholars such as Aryabhata developed precise mathematical and astronomical treatises that dealt with planetary motions, eclipses, and celestial cycles.

The roots of this traditional knowledge, nurtured in India’s intellectual culture, blossomed again in the modern era when ISRO launched its very first satellite in 1975, named “Aryabhata” in honour of the great mathematician-astronomer, this symbolic act shows that astronomy is not a new or borrowed subject for India it is deeply rooted in the Vedic heritage and the scientific traditions of our culture…………………….”

Read the full article at TheNarrative.