Chandra Grahan 2026 Date and Time: Following the completion of the first solar eclipse of 2026, the first lunar eclipse is about to occur. This lunar eclipse will occur on the full moon day of Falgun. The first lunar eclipse of the year will be visible in India, and therefore, its Sutak period will be valid. Due to the lunar eclipse, bathing and donations on the full moon day of Falgun will need to be completed before the Sutak period begins. This lunar eclipse is occurring during the festival of Holi. On the day of the lunar eclipse, the moon will appear red or orange, known as the Blood Moon. Religiously, a lunar eclipse is caused by Rahu and Ketu, while astronomy suggests that a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, obscuring it. Let's find out the date, time, Sutak period, and where it will be visible.

First Lunar Eclipse Date of the Year
According to the Drishti Panchang, the first lunar eclipse of the year is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, March 3rd. On that day, the Falgun Purnima Tithi is from morning till 5:07 pm.

What is the timing of the lunar eclipse?
In the first lunar eclipse of the year, the first contact with the penumbra will occur at 2:16 PM, and the last contact with the penumbra will occur at 7:52 PM. The first contact with the penumbra will occur at 3:21 PM, and the last contact with the penumbra will occur at 6:46 PM.

The total eclipse will begin at 4:35 PM and end at 5:33 PM. The total lunar eclipse will begin at 5:04 PM.

In simple terms, the lunar eclipse will begin at 3:21 PM and end at 6:46 PM.

Sutak period of the lunar eclipse
According to the almanac, the Sutak period of the lunar eclipse begins 9 hours before the eclipse. Based on this, the Sutak period for the lunar eclipse on March 3rd will begin at 9:39 AM.

The Sutak period will end at 6:46 PM, the time of the lunar eclipse's end.

During the Sutak period, bathing, donations, worship, reading, cooking, eating, sleeping, and auspicious activities are prohibited. Even the temple doors are closed.

Where will the lunar eclipse be visible?

The first lunar eclipse of the year will be visible in eastern India. It will be partially visible in major cities across the country. Furthermore, the lunar eclipse will be visible in East Asia, Australia, the Pacific Ocean, North and Central America, and far western South America. It will be partially visible in large parts of Central Asia and South America, while it will not be visible in Africa and Europe.

Lunar Eclipse in Leo and Purvaphalguni Nakshatra
This lunar eclipse will occur in the solar sign Leo, where the Purvaphalguni Nakshatra will prevail. Dhriti Yoga will be formed at the time of the lunar eclipse.

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