CHANDRA GRAHANA (Lunar Eclipse - 3rd March 2026) - Observations

Observations on CHANDRA GRAHANA (Lunar Eclipse) dtd/- 03.03.2026

On 3rd March 2026, India will witness the concluding stages of a total lunar eclipse, with the Moon rising while already in eclipse - #Grasthodaya The visible duration varies significantly across the country because the Eclipse ends (Umbral phase) occurs at the same time globally (18:48 IST), but Moonrise times differ by region. Duration Range in India... The visible duration of the umbral phase (the most noticeable part) ranges from just a few minutes to over 1.5 hours: Longest Duration (Northeast India): Viewers in the Northeast will see the eclipse for the longest time. In Dibrugarh, for example, the duration is 1 hour and 39 minutes (Moonrise at 17:09 IST). Shortest Duration (Western India): Cities in the west will see the shortest duration. In Mumbai, the visible umbral phase lasts only 3 minutes (Moonrise at 18:45 IST), while in Ahmedabad, it lasts about 4 minutes. Central & South India: Most major cities fall in between, with durations typically ranging from 20 to 31 minutes. Major City-Wise Examples... City Moonrise (IST) - End of Umbral Phase - Visible Duration Dibrugarh - 17:09 - 18:48 1h 39m Agartala - 17:27 - 18:48 1h 21m Kolkata - 17:39 - 18:48 1h 09m Chennai - 18:17 - 18:48 31m Delhi - 18:22 - 18:48 26m Bangalore - 18:28 - 18:48 20m Mumbai - 18:45 -18:48 3m Key Event Timings (IST) Umbral Phase Begins: 15:20 (not visible in India) Totality Phase: 16:34 to 17:33 (visible only in extreme Northeast/Andaman Islands) According to traditional Vedic rules, for a Grasthodaya Chandra GrahanA (a lunar eclipse that begins while the moon is below the horizon and is already eclipsed when it rises); For such an eclipse, the rules for starting austerities (rituals and fasting) are as follows: Rule for Fasting (Bhojana Nishedha): Since the eclipse occurs at the time of moonrise (Grasthodaya), the fasting period usually begins 9 hours (3 Praharas) before the eclipse starts. However, because the moon rises while already eclipsed, the strict prohibition on eating continues until the eclipse ends (Moksha). Austerity Start Point: Most traditional calendars and religious guides state that for a Grasthodaya eclipse, the "Grahana" period for a specific location begins exactly at Moonrise. When it is Grasthodaya ChandraGrahana, day time eclipse, related austerities starts from the the time of moonrise or Sunset whichever is later. Because, unless the sun sets Grahana will not be visible even though Moonrise would have happened. In many parts of India, the Sun sets around the same time the moon rises during a lunar eclipse (which always occurs on a full moon). Technically, from a practical and ritualistic standpoint, the general rule in Vedic astrology (Jyotisha) is: "Adrishteye na doshaha" (that which is not visible has no [astrological/ritual] effect). The Conflict: Moonrise vs. Sunset During a lunar eclipse, the Moon and Sun are apart. In a Grasthodaya (eclipsed-at-rise) scenario, the Moon often rises just a few minutes before the Sun actually sets. The Physical Reality: Even if the Moon has risen, the intense glare of the setting Sun makes the Moon (and the eclipse) invisible to the naked eye. The Ritual Rule: For the Sparsha Snana (the bath taken at the start of the eclipse), the "Grahana" period technically triggers once the Moon is above the horizon. However, many traditions hold that the merit of the ritual begins when the eclipse is actually visible. Why Sunset is the Deciding Factor...in cases where Moonrise occurs before Sunset: Visibility: The eclipse is considered "effective" for the observer only after the Sun has set, as the shadow on the Moon cannot be seen during twilight. Agni Purana & Nirnaya Sindhu, these texts suggest that for a lunar eclipse, the rituals are tied to the appearance of the Moon. If the Sun is still in the sky, the Moon's influence is "combust" or suppressed by the Sun's rays. The "Later" Rule: Therefore, the practice of starting the Sparsha Snana and formal eclipse austerities at Sunset (if Moonrise happened earlier) is considered correct because that is the moment the eclipse becomes Pratyaksha (manifest/visible). Summary for Grasthodaya Scenario...

Start of Austerities / Sparsha Snana... Where Moonrise happens AFTER Sunset - At the moment of Moonrise. Where Moonrise happens BEFORE Sunset - At the moment of Sunset. Note: Even if there is delay the bath until Sunset, the Fasting (Vedha) rules would still have started 9 hours prior to the astronomical start, as fasting is based on the calculation (Ganita) rather than immediate visibility. naham karta harih karta For other details regarding Grahana Aacharana etc. Useful link from my digital library.... UNDERSTANDING THE ECLIPSE - A CELESTIAL SPLENDOUR

https://archive.org/details/understanding-the-eclipse-a-celestial-splendour [PLEASE CHECK MOONRISE TIME AND SUNSET TIME LOCALLY FOR YOUR CITY SPECIFIC]