Blood Moon & Holi: A Celestial Phenomenon India Will Not Witness

As India gears up for vibrant Holi celebrations on March 13–14, a rare celestial event will unfold elsewhere—a total lunar eclipse, also known as the Blood Moon. However, Indian skywatchers will miss out on this astronomical spectacle, as the eclipse will occur during daylight hours in the country.

A Blood Moon occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align perfectly, casting Earth’s shadow over the Moon, giving it a deep red hue. Scientifically, this happens due to Earth’s atmosphere filtering out blue light while allowing red wavelengths to pass through—a process similar to the one that gives sunrises and sunsets their fiery colours.

Hindu mythology provides an intriguing parallel to this event. According to legend, the demon Rahu “swallows” the Moon during an eclipse, a cosmic battle that mirrors Holi’s spiritual themes of light triumphing over darkness. While the eclipse will be invisible in India, its mythological and astrological significance coincides with ‘Holika Dahan’, the ritual bonfire symbolising the burning away of negativity.

The total lunar eclipse will last about 65 minutes and will be visible across parts of North and South America, Western Europe, and Western Africa. Prime viewing locations include cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and Madrid.

Some cities will witness a partial eclipse, including London, Berlin, Rome, Cairo, Tokyo, and Sydney. Adding to its rarity, this eclipse will also be a MicroMoon, appearing slightly smaller due to the Moon’s distance from Earth.

While India won’t witness the Blood Moon, its cultural and astrological resonance remains strong, reminding us of the deep connections between celestial events and ancient traditions.