Chandrayaan-3 mission landing site 'Shiva Shakti' officially approved by IAU

Photo Credit: ISRO

The announcement was made at the Isro Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (Istrac) in Bengaluru on Aug 26, 2023, three days post-Vikram's historic Moon landing on Aug 23.

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Prime Minister Modi emphasised the significance of the names "Shiva" and "Shakti" for humanity's welfare and strength during his announcement.

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Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature defines "Shiva Shakti" as a compound word from Indian mythology, representing the masculine ("Shiva") and feminine ("Shakti") duality of nature.

Photo Credit: ISRO

Fifteen years before the Chandrayaan-3 mission, India's Chandrayaan-1 mission's moon impact probe (MIP) touched the lunar surface on Nov 14, 2008, and was named "Jawahar Point" or "Jawahar Sthal."

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PM Modi termed the Chandrayaan-3 landing as one of the inspiring moments of the century, showcasing India's scientific spirit and temperament to the world.

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ISRO chairman S Somanath expressed happiness over the naming of the sites and highlighted PM Modi's emotional connection to this historic event.

Photo Credit: ISRO

The name "Shiva Shakti" symbolises not only India's scientific achievements but also draws a connection with the rich cultural and mythological heritage of the country.

Photo Credit: Reuters

The official renaming of the Chandrayaan-3 mission's landing site as "Shiva Shakti" marks another milestone in India's space exploration journey, blending science with spirituality and mythology.